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MASCARPONE Italy
Why it's Delicious Made from cow's cream. Voluptuously smooth and silky. Sweet, buttery and faintly nutty.
Best Uses Savory sauces, dessert sauces and fillings. Topping for fresh fruit.
Substitutes Devonshire or clotted cream, whipped ricotta

RICOTTA Italy
Why it's Delicious Made from sheep's- or cow's-milk whey. Soft, moist, grainy curds. Sweet, with a faint vanilla aroma.
Best Uses Fillings for dumplings, pasta, crèpes, pastries and cheesecake; tossed with pasta; topped with sugar and honey.
Substitutes Fromage blanc, quark, small-curd cottage cheese

CRÈME FRAÎCHE France
Why it's Delicious Made from cow's cream, though technically not a cheese. Thick, creamy and spoonable. Slightly sweet and tangy.
Best Uses Sauces, custards, dips and dressings. Topping for fresh fruit.
Substitutes Devonshire or clotted cream, sour cream

FROMAGE BLANC France
Why it's Delicious Made from cow's milk. Ranges from soft and smooth to dense and spreadable. Mild and pleasantly nutty.
Best Uses Fillings for dumplings, pasta, crèpes, pastries and cheesecake.
Substitutes Quark, ricotta

GOAT CHEESE France
Why it's Delicious Made from goat's milk. Soft, smooth, slightly grainy and spoonable. Mild, earthy and tangy flavor.
Best Uses Dressings, sauces, spreads. Melted in savory foods, mixed in batters.
Substitutes Fromage blanc, quark, ricotta

QUARK Germany and Austria
Why it's Delicious Made from cow's milk. Ranges from soft, smooth and spoonable to dense and spreadable. Mild, faintly tangy flavor.
Best Uses Spread for breads; topping for soups and fruit; mixed in sauces, soufflŽs, frozen desserts and mousses.
Substitutes Fromage blanc, lebneh, small-curd cottage cheese

QUESO FRESCO Mexico and Latin America
Why it's Delicious Made from cow's or goat's milk. Has a granular texture that is firm enough to slice, but crumbles very easily. Mild with pleasantly salty, milky flavor.
Best Uses Condiment like salt. Topping for soups, tamales, salads.
Substitutes Small-curd cottage cheese, farmer cheese

LEBNEH Lebanon
Why it's Delicious Made from goat's, sheep's or cow's milk. Creamy and thick enough to hold up a spoon. Tart, tangy and refreshing.
Best Uses Dips, dressings, sauces, pastry fillings. Topping for fruit; drizzled with honey.
Substitutes Greek yogurt, quark