Boursin Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Boursin Cheese
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Boursin Cheese is a soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
Buy Boursin Cheese
Buy Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
What Is Boursin Cheese?
Boursin is a French brand of soft, fresh Gournay-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and cream with herbs mixed in. It spreads easily, crumbles a little, and is best known for its original garlic and fine herbs flavour.
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 Boursin Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Boursin Cheese (France), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Boursin Cheese (Pasteurized), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
- Texture: Boursin Cheese (Soft, creamy), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Boursin Cheese (None), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
- Aging: Boursin Cheese (Fresh (not aged)), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Boursin Cheese | Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Normandy | Jura Region, Switzerland And France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Thermized (Swiss), raw (French) |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Soft |
| Rind | None | Washed rind |
| Aging | Fresh (not aged) | At least 2 weeks |
| Taste | Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Boursin Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Boursin Cheese at fresh (not aged) develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.
Can You Substitute Boursin Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Boursin 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 soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.
Which Is Better, Boursin 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 soft, creamy cheese, go with Boursin 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 Boursin Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Boursin Cheese originates in France, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Boursin Cheese is typically aged fresh (not aged), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.
Is Boursin Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Boursin Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Boursin 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 Boursin Cheese made of?
Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (not aged). 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, Boursin Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boursin Cheese is soft, creamy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.