What Is Fontina Cheese?
Fontina cheese is a semi-hard cheese made from the whole milk of cows in the Aosta Valley of northern Italy. It has a vibrant history beginning with the settlements in the valley, and the name Fontina has since been protected by Europe's DOP. Fontina cheese has a buttery and nutty flavor. It is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, but it also has a high level of fat. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Production
According to Fontina.org, the milk is not allowed to sit for long before it is used in the production of Fontina cheese. During its production, nothing else is added or taken away. Online Britannica states that it is stored in cheese wheels, approximately 13 to 15 inches across. The cheese wheels are occasionally coated in wax, which contributes to Fontina's naturally tough rind.
History
According to Fontina.org, Fontina cheese dates back to 1200 with the beginning of Aosta Valley's foundation of castles. The word Fontine, of which Fontina is a derivative, was first used in a hospital in 1717. As history progressed, the word began to be used in many areas of the Aosta Valley, and it soon became synonymous with products of the area. Cheeses in that area were available before 1267.
Name Protection
According to Fontina.org, after Europe developed the DOP, or Denomination of Protected Origin, Fontina cheese was one of the first cheeses to receive their qualifications. This means that in the European Union, Fontina cheese is only produced in the Aosta Valley. Anything else is not considered genuine Fontina cheese from Aosta. True Fontina cheese, therefore, comes with a stamp stipulating that it is indeed from Aosta Valley. Other areas create their versions of Fontina cheese; however, because it is not from the Aosta Valley, it does not receive a stamp. It may, however, be labeled as Fontina.
Flavor and Texture
The flavor of Fontina cheese varies per area. According to Gourmetsleuth.com, Fontina cheese is both buttery and nutty. Overall, it is very savory. Italian Fontina cheese is normally pungent. In the United States, Sweden and Denmark, Fontina cheese is much milder. It is semi-soft and has small holes in it. Italian Fontina cheese has fewer holes than American, Swedish and Danish Fontina cheeses and it is also harder.
Nutrition
According to NutritionData.com, 1 cup of Fontina cheese has 513 calories, 361 of them from fat. For a 2000-calorie diet, 1 cup of Fontina cheese has 63 percent of your daily fat need and 127 percent of saturated fat. It also has 34 g of protein, which is 68 percent of your daily value (DV), and 2 g of carbohydrates. Fontina cheese is also a great source of vitamins and minerals. One cup gives you 73 percent DV of calcium, 46 percent of phosphorous, 24 percent of vitamin A, 37 percent of vitamin B12 and 31 percent of your DV of zinc.
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