Brunost Cheese vs Grevé Cheese
Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Grevé Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Sweden.
What Is Brunost Cheese?
Brunost is a Norwegian whey product made by boiling whey with milk and cream until the milk sugars caramelize. It is brown, sweet and firm enough to slice, and it is eaten like cheese on sandwiches, crispbread and waffles.
What Is Grevé Cheese?
Grevé is a Swedish cow's milk cheese built along the lines of Emmental, first produced in 1964 at Örnsköldsvik. It is semi-hard, tastes nut-like and slightly sweet, and carries a fat content of 30 to 45 percent.
What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and Grevé Cheese?
- Origin: Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Grevé Cheese (Sweden)
- Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Grevé Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), Grevé Cheese (semi-hard)
- Rind: Brunost Cheese (natural), Grevé Cheese (waxed)
- Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), Grevé Cheese (mild, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brunost Cheese | Grevé Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway And Sweden | Sweden |
| Specific Origin | Gudbrandsdalen, Norway | Örnsköldsvik, Västernorrland County, Sweden |
| Milk Type | Cow's and goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Semi-soft, whey | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Natural | Waxed |
| Aging | Unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated | — |
| Taste | Caramel, sweet | Mild, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Grevé Cheese?
Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Grevé Cheese brings mild, nutty character. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while Grevé Cheese leans toward nut-like, slightly sweet.
Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Grevé Cheese?
Brunost Cheese can stand in for Grevé Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Grevé Cheese brings mild, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Grevé Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, whey cheese, go with Brunost Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Grevé Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Grevé Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, nutty.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brunost Cheese the same as Grevé Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Grevé Cheese comes from Sweden. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Grevé Cheese uses cow.
Is Brunost Cheese similar to Grevé Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Grevé Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brunost Cheese taste like Grevé Cheese?
Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Grevé Cheese is mild, nutty.
What is Brunost Cheese made of?
Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated. It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
What is Grevé Cheese made of?
Grevé Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Sweden.
Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or Grevé Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while Grevé Cheese is semi-hard.