Cabecou Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese
Cabecou Cheese is a soft, artisan goat-milk cheese from France, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.
What Is Cabecou Cheese?
Cabécou is a small round goat cheese from the Midi-Pyrénées in southern France, usually made with raw milk. It weighs under 40 grams (1.4 oz), tastes mildly lactic, and turns sharper once blue mold grows on its crust after about two weeks.
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 Cabecou Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?
- Origin: Cabecou Cheese (France), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
- Milk type: Cabecou Cheese (goat's milk), Jarlsberg Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cabecou Cheese (raw), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Cabecou Cheese (soft, artisan), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
- Rind: Cabecou Cheese (bloomy, thin and striped), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
- Aging: Cabecou Cheese (ten days to four weeks), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
- Taste: Cabecou Cheese (smooth, tangy), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabecou Cheese | Jarlsberg Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Norway |
| Specific Origin | Midi-Pyrenees | Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Semihard |
| Rind | Bloomy, thin and striped | Plastic-covered |
| Aging | Ten days to four weeks | Three months to twelve months |
| Taste | Smooth, tangy | Mild, sweet, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabecou Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?
Cabecou Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Cabecou Cheese offers aromatic, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. More specifically, Cabecou Cheese shows mildly lactic, sharper once blue mold grows on the crust, while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. Cabecou Cheese at ten days to four weeks develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.
Can You Substitute Cabecou Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?
Cabecou Cheese can stand in for Jarlsberg Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, Cabecou Cheese reads as smooth, tangy while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Cabecou Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Cabecou Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabecou Cheese suits recipes that want smooth, tangy notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabecou Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabecou Cheese originates in France, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Cabecou Cheese is made from goat milk; Jarlsberg Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Cabecou Cheese is typically aged ten days to four weeks, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.
Is Cabecou Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabecou Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabecou Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?
Cabecou Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cabecou Cheese leans aromatic, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.
What is Cabecou Cheese made of?
Cabecou Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged ten days to four weeks. It originates in France.
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, Cabecou Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabecou Cheese is soft, artisan, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.