Beaufort Cheese vs Charolais Cheese

Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Charolais Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.

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 Is Charolais Cheese?

Charolais is a raw goat's milk cheese from the Charolais and Brionnais hills of Burgundy, France. It is one of the largest goat cheeses, sold as a tall barrel-shaped round of 250 to 310 grams, and has carried PDO status since 2014.

What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Charolais Cheese?

• Milk type: Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk), Charolais Cheese (goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Charolais Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Charolais Cheese (semi-soft)
• Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Charolais Cheese (Bloomy, slightly wrinkled)
• Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Charolais Cheese (Minimum of 16 days)
• Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Charolais Cheese (acidic, salty, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Charolais Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Charolais Cheese brings acidic, salty, sweet character. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Charolais Cheese's subtle. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Charolais Cheese at minimum of 16 days.

Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Charolais Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese can stand in for Charolais Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Charolais Cheese brings acidic, salty, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Charolais Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Charolais Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Charolais Cheese fits dishes calling for acidic, salty, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Charolais Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk; Charolais Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Charolais Cheese minimum of 16 days.

Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Charolais Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Charolais Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Charolais Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Charolais Cheese is acidic, salty, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Beaufort Cheese leans fruity, nutty, and Charolais Cheese is closer to subtle.

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.

What is Charolais Cheese made of?

Charolais Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 16 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Charolais Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Charolais Cheese is semi-soft.