Cheese Database

Asiago vs Montasio

Asiago, field guide plate
Asiago, photographed

Asiago

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Semi-hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Veneto
Status
PDO

Asiago is a cow's-milk cheese from the Asiago plateau in Veneto and from the protected zone around it. Pressato is young, pale, and mild. D'allevo is aged until it is firm and sharper.

Montasio

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Semi-hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Friuli
Status
PDO

Montasio is a pressed cow's milk cheese from Friuli, in northeastern Italy, and the name is protected. Young wheels are supple and mild, while older wheels turn firmer, drier, and better for grating. The paste is pale to straw colored, with a natural rind and sometimes a few small eyes. It belongs with the northern Italian cheeses that move from the table to the grater as they age. Friuli is the heart of that identity.