Alpicrème Cheese vs Beaufort Cheese
Alpicrème Cheese is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Beaufort Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Alpicrème Cheese?
Alpicrème is a soft cheese from France made with goat's milk. It features a bloomy rind that develops during an aging process of 30 days to 3 months. The cheese has a creamy and smooth texture, making it easy to spread. Its flavor is mild and slightly tangy, with the characteristic earthiness that comes from goat's milk. The aging process enhances its flavors, giving it a more pronounced taste over time. Alpicrème is often enjoyed on a cheese platter or paired with a crusty baguette.
What Is Beaufort Cheese?
Beaufort is a firm raw cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps, part of the gruyère family. Its wheels take a concave shape from the beechwood hoop, and the cheese melts easily enough to be a standard choice for fondue.
What's the Difference Between Alpicrème Cheese and Beaufort Cheese?
- Milk type: Alpicrème Cheese (goat's milk), Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Alpicrème Cheese (soft), Beaufort Cheese (Hard)
- Rind: Alpicrème Cheese (Bloomy), Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color)
- Aging: Alpicrème Cheese (30 days to 3 months), Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Alpicrème Cheese | Beaufort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Hard |
| Rind | Bloomy | Even yellow color |
| Aging | 30 days to 3 months | 5 to 12+ months |
| Taste | — | Strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Alpicrème Cheese Taste Like Beaufort Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Alpicrème Cheese at 30 days to 3 months develops a different profile than Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months.
Can You Substitute Alpicrème Cheese for Beaufort Cheese?
Alpicrème Cheese can stand in for Beaufort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Alpicrème Cheese or Beaufort Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Alpicrème Cheese. For a hard profile, Beaufort Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpicrème Cheese the same as Beaufort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Alpicrème Cheese is made from goat milk; Beaufort Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Alpicrème Cheese is typically aged 30 days to 3 months, Beaufort Cheese 5 to 12+ months.
Is Alpicrème Cheese similar to Beaufort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Alpicrème Cheese for Beaufort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Alpicrème Cheese taste like Beaufort Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Alpicrème Cheese made of?
Alpicrème Cheese is made from goat milk. It's typically aged 30 days to 3 months. It originates in France.
What is Beaufort Cheese made of?
Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Alpicrème Cheese or Beaufort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Alpicrème Cheese is soft, while Beaufort Cheese is hard.