Brunost Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), L'Etivaz Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Brunost Cheese (unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brunost Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway And Sweden | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Gudbrandsdalen, Norway | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's and goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-soft, whey | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Caramel, sweet | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Brunost Cheese at unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
Brunost Cheese can stand in for L'Etivaz 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brunost Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; L'Etivaz Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brunost Cheese is typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Brunost Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brunost Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly 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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.