Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Q: Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No. Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Jarlsberg 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.

Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is a soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds cow-milk cheese, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

What Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese?

Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura, also known as Bleu de Septmoncel, is a traditional French cheese. It is made solely from raw processed cow's milk, specifically from Montbéliarde or French Simmental breeds. This cheese has a veined, uncooked, and unpressed paste with a minimum fat content of 50 grams per 100 grams after desiccation. The cheese is shaped into wheels weighing between 6 and 9 kilograms, with a diameter of 31 to 35 centimeters. Its rind is fine, dry, and ranges from whitish to brownish, often bearing the imprint of the moulding cloth. The paste is soft, white to ivory, with blue-green marbling. The cheese is produced and ripened in the Haut-Jura region, known for its rich biodiversity and traditional grazing practices.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?

Milk treatment: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Raw), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
Rind: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese	Jarlsberg Cheese
Country of Origin	—	Norway
Specific Origin	Haut-Jura, Including Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Jura	Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Pasteurized
Texture	Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds	Semihard
Rind	Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots	Plastic-covered
Aging	—	Three months to twelve months
Taste	—	Mild, sweet, nutty

Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard.

Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds cheese, go with Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese made of?

Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.