Caerphilly Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Caerphilly Cheese is a tri-layered: brie-like to dense core cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom and Wales, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Caerphilly Cheese?
Caerphilly is a white, crumbly cow's milk cheese from the area around the town of Caerphilly in Wales, first made on farms to feed local coal miners. It has a mild taste with a tang of lemon and ripens in as little as two weeks.
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 Caerphilly Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Caerphilly Cheese (United Kingdom and Wales), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Texture: Caerphilly Cheese (Tri-layered: Brie-like to dense core), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Caerphilly Cheese (from 2 weeks), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Caerphilly Cheese (Earthy, barnyard, lemony), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Caerphilly Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom And Wales | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | 8 Miles North Of Cardiff | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Tri-layered: Brie-like to dense core | Hard |
| Rind | Mottled gray-white | — |
| Aging | From 2 weeks | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Earthy, barnyard, lemony | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Caerphilly Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. On the nose, Caerphilly Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey. More specifically, Caerphilly Cheese shows rind: earthy, mineral. beneath: barnyard, mushrooms. core: bright, lemony, clean, 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. Caerphilly Cheese at from 2 weeks develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Caerphilly Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
In most recipes, Caerphilly Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect tri-layered: brie-like to dense core bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Caerphilly Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a tri-layered: brie-like to dense core cheese, go with Caerphilly Cheese. For a hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caerphilly Cheese suits recipes that want earthy, barnyard, lemony notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caerphilly Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Caerphilly Cheese originates in United Kingdom and Wales, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Caerphilly Cheese is typically aged from 2 weeks, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Caerphilly Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Caerphilly Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Caerphilly Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty. Aromas also diverge. Caerphilly Cheese leans fresh, and L'Etivaz Cheese is closer to smokey.
What is Caerphilly Cheese made of?
Caerphilly Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged from 2 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom and Wales.
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, Caerphilly Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caerphilly Cheese is tri-layered: brie-like to dense core, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.