Havarti cheese, a creamy Danish delight, has become increasingly popular due to its mild, buttery flavor and versatile nature. Whether you’ve run out of Havarti or are simply looking to expand your cheese horizons, this article will guide you through a variety of cheeses that are similar to havarti.
Understanding Havarti Cheese
Place of Origin
Havarti is a Danish cheese, originating from the rich dairy traditions of Denmark. Its creation is credited to Hanne Nielsen, who developed the cheese in the mid-19th century on her farm north of Copenhagen.
What is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti is a semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk. It’s characterized by its creamy texture and small, irregular eyes (holes) throughout. The cheese is typically aged for about three months, resulting in a smooth, flexible consistency.
Does It Melt Well?
Yes, Havarti is known for its excellent melting properties. This makes it a popular choice for grilled sandwiches, pizzas, and various hot dishes where a creamy, melted texture is desired.
Does It Store Well?
Havarti stores well when properly handled. To maintain its quality, store it in the refrigerator wrapped in wax paper or cheese paper. I prefer to use parchment paper because I always have it on hand. It can last for several weeks when stored correctly.
What Does It Taste Like?
Havarti has a mild, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor. It’s often described as having a subtle tanginess that becomes more pronounced as the cheese ages. Some varieties may have added flavors like dill or other herbs.
How Is It Used?
Havarti is incredibly versatile. It’s commonly used in sandwiches, on cheese boards, melted in sauces, grated over salads, or enjoyed on its own as a snack. Its mild flavor and creamy texture make it a crowd-pleaser in various dishes.
Best Havarti Cheese Substitutes
When choosing a Havarti substitute, consider the texture, melting properties, and flavor profile of the alternative cheese. Here are the top options for cheese similar to havarti:
Gouda Cheese
Gouda, especially young Gouda, offers a similar texture and flavor to Havarti. It has a mild, buttery taste with a slightly sweet undertone. Gouda melts well, making it an excellent 1:1 substitution in recipes calling for Havarti.
Muenster Cheese
Muenster is a semi-soft American cheese that closely resembles Havarti in both texture and taste. It has a mild flavor with a slight tang and melts beautifully, making it ideal for sandwiches and baked dishes.
Fontina Cheese
This Italian cheese offers a creamy texture similar to Havarti but with a slightly nuttier and more robust flavor. Fontina is an excellent melting cheese, perfect for fondue, grilled sandwiches, and sauces.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a mild, creamy American cheese that serves as an excellent Havarti substitute. It melts well and has a subtle flavor that won’t overpower other ingredients in your dish.
Cheddar Cheese
While cheddar can vary in sharpness, young cheddar offers a mild, creamy alternative to Havarti. It melts well and can be used in most recipes calling for Havarti, though it may impart a slightly tangier flavor.
Additional Havarti Cheese Substitutes
Tilsit Cheese
Tilsit is a semi-hard European cheese with a mild, creamy, and slightly tangy flavor. It melts well, making it suitable for salads, casseroles, and fondue.
Edam Cheese
This Dutch cheese has a soft texture and mild flavor, similar to Havarti. Young Edam is especially good for those seeking a Havarti-like experience.
Saint Paulin Cheese
A French cheese with a mild, creamy texture, Saint Paulin is excellent for slicing, grating, and pairing with other foods.
Emmental Cheese
Also known as Swiss cheese, Emmental offers a nutty, fruity flavor with good melting properties. It’s firmer than Havarti but works well in many of the same applications.
Colby Cheese
Colby has a mild flavor and semi-soft texture comparable to young cheddar, making it a suitable Havarti substitute in many dishes.
Esrom Cheese
Another Danish cheese, Esrom has a creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor. It’s similar to Havarti but with a more robust taste.
Provolone Cheese
This Italian cheese has a firm texture and tangy, sometimes smoky flavor. It melts well, making it a good substitute in cooked dishes.
Port Salut Cheese
Port Salut is a mild, creamy, and buttery French cheese that works well as both a melting cheese and a table cheese.
Jarlsberg Cheese
This Norwegian cheese has a mild, nutty flavor and creamy texture, making it great for melting on sandwiches or using in place of Havarti on cheese boards.
Raclette Cheese
Known for its excellent melting properties, this Swiss cheese has a mild, savory flavor that can replace Havarti in many dishes.
Non-Dairy Havarti Cheese Substitutes
For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, there are several non-dairy alternatives that can mimic the creamy texture and mild flavor of Havarti:
Violife Mature Cheddar Flavour
This plant-based cheese offers a tangy taste and good melting properties, making it suitable for dishes where Havarti would typically be used.
Daiya Medium Cheddar Style Block
Known for its creamy texture and melting capabilities, this vegan cheese is particularly good for mac and cheese or grilled sandwiches.
Miyoko’s Creamery Cultured Vegan Cheese
With its creamy, spreadable texture, this cheese is perfect for cheese boards and crackers, similar to how Havarti might be used.
Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda Slices
These slices offer a smoky flavor and creamy texture, great for gourmet burgers and sandwiches where Havarti might typically be used.
Chao Creamy Original Slices
With a smooth, creamy texture, these slices are ideal for melts and quesadillas, mimicking Havarti’s melting properties.
How to Choose the Right Havarti Substitute
For Melting
If you’re looking for a cheese to melt, consider options like Gouda, Monterey Jack, or Fontina. These cheeses have excellent melting properties similar to Havarti.
For Cheese Boards
For a cheese board, consider milder options like young Gouda, Edam, or Port Salut. These will offer a similar mild, creamy experience to Havarti.
For Cooking
When cooking, you have more flexibility. Cheeses like Cheddar, Provolone, or Emmental can add interesting flavors to your dishes while maintaining a texture similar to Havarti.
Creative Uses for Havarti Substitutes
- Use Gouda or Monterey Jack in grilled cheese sandwiches for a gooey, melty texture.
- Try Fontina in a white pizza for a creamy, flavorful base.
- Use Muenster in quesadillas for a mild, melty filling.
- Incorporate Edam into a cheese sauce for pasta dishes.
- Use Port Salut on a cheese board with fruits and nuts for a mild, creamy option.
FAQs
What cheese does Havarti taste like?
Havarti has a mild, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor, often compared to a milder version of Gouda or a creamier version of Monterey Jack.
Is Havarti and Gouda the same?
While similar, they are different cheeses. Havarti is Danish and typically softer, while Gouda is Dutch and can range from semi-soft to hard, depending on age.
What is the difference between Havarti and Swiss cheese?
Havarti is creamier and milder, while Swiss cheese (Emmental) has a nuttier flavor and firmer texture with distinctive holes.
Can you substitute Havarti for Gouda?
Yes, especially young Gouda, which has a similar mild flavor and good melting properties.
Is Havarti similar to brie?
While both are creamy, Brie is much softer and has a stronger, more complex flavor than the milder Havarti.
What melts better, Gouda or Havarti?
Both melt well, but Havarti typically has a slightly creamier melt due to its higher moisture content.
What is the other name for Havarti cheese?
Havarti is sometimes called Cream Havarti, especially when it contains a higher butterfat content.
Conclusion
Whether you’re out of Havarti or simply looking to experiment, there are numerous delicious alternatives available. From the mild creaminess of Gouda to the tangy notes of Tilsit, each substitute offers its own unique twist while still capturing the essence of what makes Havarti so beloved. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these alternatives in your favorite recipes – you might discover a new favorite cheese!