Beaufort Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Beaufort Cheese
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Vacherin Mont d'Or is a soft, seasonal cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of Switzerland and France. It is bound in a strip of spruce bark, sold in a round spruce box, and often warmed in that box and eaten like fondue.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Beaufort Cheese (France), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | Jura Region, Switzerland And France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Thermized (Swiss), raw (French) |
| Texture | Hard | Soft |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Washed rind |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | At least 2 weeks |
| Taste | Strong | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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 soft profile, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese originates in France, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese made of?
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (thermized (swiss), raw (french)). It's typically aged at least 2 weeks. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.