Beaufort Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

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

• Origin: Beaufort Cheese (France), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Parmesan Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)
• Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Parmesan Cheese's nutty, strong. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Parmesan Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese originates in France, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.

Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.

Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Beaufort Cheese leans fruity, nutty, and Parmesan Cheese is closer to nutty, strong.

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 Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.