Brunost Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Brunost Cheese (natural), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Brunost Cheese (unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Brunost Cheese at unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

Brunost Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Mont d'Or 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 soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brunost Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brunost Cheese is typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Brunost Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Brunost Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.