Shopper’s Dictionary: Fontina

What is it? A raw cow’s-milk cheese traditionally produced high in the Italian Alps.

Young fontina (aged about 3 months) has a semisoft texture and a natural, edible, orange-tan rind. Creameries in Sweden, France, Denmark and the United States also produce fontina cheeses.

The cheese melts well, making it a good candidate for fondue, upgraded grilled cheese sandwiches and pizzas.

Fontina has a pungent, somewhat stinky aroma and a creamy, grassy, nutty flavor that matches seamlessly with mushrooms.

Where can I find it? Italian fontina sells for about $16 a pound at South Florida Whole Foods Markets.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Shopper’s Dictionary: Fontina."