Baguette Laonnaise Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese

Q: Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese and Taleggio Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Taleggio Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from France, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese?

Baguette laonnaise is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from Thiérache and the city of Laon in Picardie, France. It is a variation of Maroilles with black pepper and tarragon worked into the curd, sold as a rectangular loaf that gives the cheese its name.

What Is Taleggio Cheese?

Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.

What's the Difference Between Baguette Laonnaise Cheese and Taleggio Cheese?

Origin: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (France), Taleggio Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (pasteurized), Taleggio Cheese (Heated to 90–95°F)
Texture: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (soft, artisan), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
Rind: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (washed), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
Aging: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (3 to 4 months), Taleggio Cheese (At least 35 (up to 50) days)
Taste: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (spicy), Taleggio Cheese (Sweet, delicate, slightly sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Baguette Laonnaise Cheese	Taleggio Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Italy
Specific Origin	Thiérache And Laon, Picardie, France	Val Taleggio, Po Valley
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Heated to 90–95°F
Texture	Soft, artisan	Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center
Rind	Washed	Soft, thin, pinkish-red
Aging	3 to 4 months	At least 35 (up to 50) days
Taste	Spicy	Sweet, delicate, slightly sour

Taste Comparison: Does Baguette Laonnaise Cheese Taste Like Taleggio Cheese?

Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy, while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour character. On the nose, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Taleggio Cheese's herbaceous, aromatic. More specifically, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese shows black pepper, tarragon, while Taleggio Cheese leans toward herbaceous, aromatic, intensifies and becomes more complex over time. Aging plays into this as well. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Taleggio Cheese at at least 35 (up to 50) days.

Can You Substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese and Taleggio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center. Flavor-wise, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour notes.

Which Is Better, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Baguette Laonnaise Cheese. For a soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Taleggio Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, delicate, slightly sour.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese originates in France, while Taleggio Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Taleggio Cheese at least 35 (up to 50) days.

Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese similar to Taleggio Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Baguette Laonnaise Cheese taste like Taleggio Cheese?

Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy, while Taleggio Cheese is sweet, delicate, slightly sour. Aromas also diverge. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese leans pungent, and Taleggio Cheese is closer to herbaceous, aromatic.

What is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese made of?

Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in France.

What is Taleggio Cheese made of?

Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is soft, artisan, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.