What is Fontina Cheese: 5 Amazing Health Benefits

Fontina is a semi-hard cheese originally from the Valle d’Aosta region of Piedmont (northwestern Italy). It is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk enriched with the addition of cream. If pasteurized, Fontina can’t be labeled as Fontina itself. The AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) Protected indication guarantees at least 85 percent of raw cow milk.

What is fontina cheese? The cheese is produced in cylindrical form, and it is white when “crunchy”, similar to a young Cantal cheese. When mature (at approximately six months), the cheese is pale yellow and has a smooth, oily appearance.

Although Fontina is not ricotta cheese, it has a very similar texture to it. This mild Italian cheese has a pale yellow color with a texture that’s somewhat creamy. This is one of the most loved Italian cheeses is Fontina cheese.

What Is Fontina Cheese?

Fontina is a cow’s milk cheese from Italy, named after the Valle d’Aosta town of Fônt (or Font). It has a nutty flavor and a creamy texture.

The Italian fontina is considered one of the most important cheeses in Italy. The original fontina was made by monks in the Aosta Valley. Today, there are two main types of fontina: soft and hard. The hard fontina is aged for at least five months and has a distinct sharpness to it. It’s also called Fontinella or Fontina Vecchio.

Soft fontina, known as Fontina d’Aoste or Fontinella di Bitto, has an edible rind that’s covered with white mold and has a mild taste more similar to Swiss cheese than Parmesan cheese. This type of cheese may be sold as “fontina” if it meets certain standards set by the Consorzio del Formaggio Fontina, which oversees production in the Valle d’Aosta region of Italy.

What Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like?

Fontina is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavor and creamy texture. It has a sweet, nutty aroma and a buttery, smooth finish. Fontina pairs well with fresh fruit, nuts, mushrooms and spicy flavors such as black pepper or chiles.

How Is Fontina Made?

Fontina is made from cow’s milk in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It’s been made there since at least the 15th century, though it wasn’t officially named until the early 20th century. The cheese typically has a bright yellow-orange rind covered in white mold and is sold in rounds weighing between 10 and 26 pounds (4.5 to 11 kilograms). It takes about 160 gallons (600 liters) of milk to make one wheel of Fontina!

Types of Fontina Cheese

Fontina is a cheese made from cow’s milk. It’s often referred to as a “super-melting” cheese, which means it has a high fat content and can be spread without crumbling. Fontina has been produced in Italy since the Middle Ages and is named after the village of Fontinaz in Val d’Aosta, where it was first made.

Fontina comes in two types:

Regular Fontina:

This type of Fontina is aged for about 2 years before being sold. It’s a milder version of the cheese with a creamy texture and nutty flavor. You can use this type of fontina on sandwiches or melted into fondue or pasta sauces.

Aged Fontina:

Aged Fontina has a more complex flavor than regular fontina because it undergoes an additional maturation process. The aging process takes place over 10 to 24 months, depending on the variety of cheese and how long you want it to last before eating it. During this time, the rind develops some cracks that expose the cheese to air for another round of aging. This gives aged fontina its creamy texture and nutty flavor.

How To Store Fontina Cheese?

Fontina is a semi-firm Italian cheese with a nutty, buttery flavor and a slightly grainy texture. It’s usually made from cow’s milk, but some varieties are made from goat’s milk.

Fontina cheese is excellent as an appetizer, on pizza or pasta dishes, in sandwiches, or just eaten by itself. It also melts well for use in grilled cheese sandwiches or fondue.

If you’re planning to eat your Fontina soon after purchase, unwrap it, remove any wrapping or packaging and transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. You can keep it refrigerated for up to one week (or even longer).

If you plan on storing your Fontina for an extended period of time (more than one week), wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a storage container with a lid so that air cannot reach the surface of the cheese. Store this container at 40°F or below until ready to use again.

What Cheese Can You Use Instead of Fontina?

Fontina is a semi-soft cheese produced in the Valle d’Aosta region of Italy. It has a delicate, buttery, nutty flavor and a smooth texture. Fontina is used in many recipes, including fondues, baked dishes such as gratins and pizzas, and salads. It’s also wonderful melted on top of vegetables or in sandwiches.

Fontina can be difficult to find in grocery stores outside of Italy, but there are many other cheeses that are similar in texture and flavor. Some of these “Fontina alternatives” include:

1. Emmental
2. Gruyere
3. Edam
4. Parmesan
5. Cheddar
6. Mozzarella
7. Provolone
8. Gouda
9. Vacherin
10. Tofu

Benefits of Fontina Cheese for Health

Fontina cheese is a semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk. It’s a great addition to your diet because it has just the right amount of fat, protein and calories to help you feel energized and satisfied. Fontina cheese is also rich in nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous and vitamin A.

If you’re looking for a healthy snack that tastes great, try adding some fontina cheese into your diet.

Prevent Tooth Decay

Fontina cheese contains calcium and phosphorus, which are both important for strong teeth and bones. The calcium in this cheese helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel so that it can resist acid attacks from food and drinks. Calcium also plays an important role in nerve function, muscle contraction and blood clotting.

Prevent Cancer

Fontina cheese contains high levels of isoflavones, which are plant compounds that have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. The health benefits of these compounds include protecting against breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer as well as reducing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes (1).

Help To Gain Weight

Fontina cheese is high in protein and calcium, both of which are important for maintaining healthy weight levels. One ounce (28 grams) of fontina contains 4 grams of protein and 11 milligrams of calcium, which is about 25% of the daily value for these nutrients (DV). Calcium helps build strong bones through its role in bone formation and maintenance. This nutrient also plays an important role in muscle contraction and blood clotting by facilitating the release of hormones called calcitonin and parathyroid hormone that regulate the level of calcium in our blood (1).

Help Strengthen Bones

Fontina cheese is a great choice for those who want to reduce stress. It contains a high amount of vitamin B12, which is essential for the proper functioning of your nervous system. This vitamin is also known as the “energy vitamin” because it boosts energy levels by helping the body convert food into fuel. It helps boost memory and concentration and can also improve mood.

Reduce Stress

Fontina cheese contains calcium, which is essential for bone health. In fact, calcium has been proven to help prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases. By consuming this type of cheese on a regular basis, you can maintain strong bones throughout your lifetime and help prevent osteoporosis when you’re older.

Conclusion

What is fontina cheese? Fontina cheese is produced from unpasteurized cow’s milk. It has a fat content of 45-60%. This cheese is also an excellent source of protein, phosphorus, and riboflavin. Of course, as with any cheese, it’s important to keep in mind the health benefits don’t come without their side effects. The cholesterol content of this strong-flavored cheese averages 10mg per serving (about 15%). Because of this, health-oriented individuals should avoid consuming excessive amounts.