American Cheese vs Gruyère Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about American Cheese and Gruyère Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between American Cheese and Gruyère Cheese?"
• "Is American Cheese and Gruyère Cheese the same?"
• "How does American Cheese compare to Gruyère Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of American Cheese compare to Gruyère Cheese?"
• "Is American Cheese or Gruyère Cheese better?"

American Cheese Overview

A staple in American cuisine, this processed cheese is known for its excellent melting properties and smooth texture. American cheese is typically mild and creamy, designed to be versatile in dishes like burgers and grilled sandwiches. It's available in various colors and flavors, tailored to suit different tastes and recipes.

Gruyère Cheese Overview

Gruyère is a famous Swiss hard cheese, known for its rich, creamy, slightly nutty flavor. It is typically aged for six months or more and has a dense, slightly grainy texture. Gruyère is a staple in fondue and is also used in French onion soup, croque-monsieur, and various baked dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

American Cheese comes from United States. Gruyère Cheese originated from Switzerland.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. American is not a protected cheese. Gruyère Cheese has a AOP (2007), PGI (2007), GI (2011).

Milk Type and Treatment

American Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Gruyère Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw.

Composition and Texture

American's texture can be described as "semi-soft, processed". Gruyère Cheese has a fat content of around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content. and a moisture content of none. Gruyère's texture can be described as "dense, moister".

Taste and Aroma

American's aroma can be described as "mild". Gruyère Cheese has a nutty, complex taste. Gruyère's aroma can be described as "earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy".

Appearance and Aging

American Cheese's appearance is colored yellow . Gruyère Cheese has a color of varies , comes in cylindrical and has an aging period of 5 months to 24+ .

Rind and Rennet Type

American Cheese's rind is described as rindless . Gruyère Cheese's rind is described as natural, orangy , with animal rennet.

Ranking

American is ranked #90 out of 996 types based on community views. Gruyère is ranked #33 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the American and Gruyère pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a semi-soft, processed cheese, go for American. But if you enjoy a dense, moister consistency, Gruyère might be the better pick.

Compare American Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Gruyère Cheese to Other Cheeses