Paneer Cheese vs Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese
Paneer Cheese
Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese
Paneer Cheese is a fresh, crumbly cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Bangladesh and India, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese is soft, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Paneer Cheese
Buy Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese
What Is Paneer Cheese?
Paneer is a fresh, non-aged cheese from South Asia, made by curdling cow or buffalo milk with acid instead of rennet. It does not melt, so it holds its shape in curries, fritters and skewered dishes like paneer tikka.
What Is Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
Quartirolo Lombardo is a PDO cow's milk cheese from Lombardy in northern Italy, made since the 10th century. It is known for its rectangular block shape, its crumbly white paste, and a slightly sour flavor that grows more aromatic with age.
What's the Difference Between Paneer Cheese and Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
- Origin: Paneer Cheese (Bangladesh and India), Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Paneer Cheese (Cow's or water buffalo's milk), Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Paneer Cheese (Fresh, crumbly), Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese (Soft, crumbly)
- Rind: Paneer Cheese (rindless), Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese (thin and soft, white-pink when young, grey-green reddish when aged)
- Aging: Paneer Cheese (Fresh), Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese (Fresh: ≥5 days, Aged: >30 days)
- Taste: Paneer Cheese (Mild, slightly milky), Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese (Slightly sour, aromatic)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Paneer Cheese | Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Bangladesh And India | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Northern India, Pakistan | Lombardy Region, Between Po River And Pre-Alpine Valleys Of Bergamo And Lecco |
| Milk Type | Cow's or water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Fresh, crumbly | Soft, crumbly |
| Rind | Rindless | Thin and soft, white-pink when young, grey-green reddish when aged |
| Aging | Fresh | Fresh: ≥5 days, Aged: >30 days |
| Taste | Mild, slightly milky | Slightly sour, aromatic |
Taste Comparison: Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
Paneer Cheese reads as mild, slightly milky, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese brings slightly sour, aromatic character. On the nose, Paneer Cheese offers very little aroma, contrasted with Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese's aromatic. More specifically, Paneer Cheese shows absorbs flavors of the sauce it is cooked in, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese leans toward distinctive, slightly sour, aromatic, intensifies with age. Aging plays into this as well. Paneer Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese at fresh: ≥5 days, aged: >30 days.
Can You Substitute Paneer Cheese for Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
Paneer Cheese can stand in for Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fresh, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Paneer Cheese reads as mild, slightly milky while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese brings slightly sour, aromatic notes.
Which Is Better, Paneer Cheese or Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh, crumbly cheese, go with Paneer Cheese. For a soft, crumbly profile, Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Paneer Cheese suits recipes that want mild, slightly milky notes, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly sour, aromatic.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paneer Cheese the same as Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Paneer Cheese originates in Bangladesh and India, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese comes from Italy. Paneer Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Paneer Cheese is typically aged fresh, Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese fresh: ≥5 days, aged: >30 days.
Is Paneer Cheese similar to Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Paneer Cheese for Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Paneer Cheese taste like Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
Paneer Cheese reads as mild, slightly milky, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese is slightly sour, aromatic. Aromas also diverge. Paneer Cheese leans very little aroma, and Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese is closer to aromatic.
What is Paneer Cheese made of?
Paneer Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk (pasteurized), using vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt, or buttermilk rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Bangladesh and India.
What is Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese made of?
Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese is made from cow milk, using calf rennet. It's typically aged fresh: ≥5 days, aged: >30 days. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Paneer Cheese or Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Paneer Cheese is fresh, crumbly, while Quartirolo Lombardo Cheese is soft, crumbly.