Beaufort Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Hard | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Strong | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Soft Cheese is mild.
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 Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.