Montasio Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese

Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.

What Is Montasio Cheese?

Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.

What Is Washed Rind Cheese?

Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.

What's the Difference Between Montasio Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?

• Texture: Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
• Rind: Montasio Cheese (natural), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
• Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character. On the nose, Montasio Cheese offers aromatic, pleasant, contrasted with Washed Rind Cheese's pungent.

Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

Montasio Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect elastic to crumbly and hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft to hard. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.

Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a elastic to crumbly and hard cheese, go with Montasio Cheese. For a soft to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese suits recipes that want mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montasio Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Montasio Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Montasio Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive. Aromas also diverge. Montasio Cheese leans aromatic, pleasant, and Washed Rind Cheese is closer to pungent.

What is Montasio Cheese made of?

Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.

What is Washed Rind Cheese made of?

Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.

Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.