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Camembert Cheese vs Gruyère Cheese
Camembert Cheese
Gruyère Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Camembert Cheese and Gruyère Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Camembert Cheese and Gruyère Cheese?"
- "Is Camembert Cheese and Gruyère Cheese the same?"
- "How does Camembert Cheese compare to Gruyère Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Camembert Cheese compare to Gruyère Cheese?"
- "Is Camembert Cheese or Gruyère Cheese better?"
Camembert Cheese Overview
Camembert is a famous French cheese with a soft, creamy interior and a bloomy rind. It's made from cow's milk and has a rich, buttery flavor with earthy undertones. True Camembert from Normandy has a slightly more intense flavor compared to other varieties and becomes runnier as it ages.
Gruyère Cheese Overview
Gruyère is a famous Swiss hard cheese, known for its rich, creamy, slightly nutty flavor. It is typically aged for six months or more and has a dense, slightly grainy texture. Gruyère is a staple in fondue and is also used in French onion soup, croque-monsieur, and various baked dishes.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Camembert Cheese comes from France. Gruyère Cheese originated from Switzerland.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Camembert is not a protected cheese. Gruyère Cheese has a AOP (2007), PGI (2007), GI (2011).
Milk Type and Treatment
Camembert Cheese is made with cow milk. Gruyère Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw.
Composition and Texture
Camembert's texture can be described as "soft, artisan". Gruyère Cheese has a fat content of around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content. and a moisture content of none. Gruyère's texture can be described as "dense, moister".
Taste and Aroma
Camembert Cheese has a sweet taste. Camembert's aroma can be described as "buttery, rich". Gruyère Cheese has a nutty, complex taste. Gruyère's aroma can be described as "earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy".
Appearance and Aging
Camembert Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow . Gruyère Cheese has a color of varies , comes in cylindrical and has an aging period of 5 months to 24+ .
Rind and Rennet Type
Camembert Cheese's rind is described as bloomy . Gruyère Cheese's rind is described as natural, orangy , with animal rennet.
Ranking
Camembert is ranked #12 out of 996 types based on community views. Gruyère is ranked #34 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Camembert | Gruyère | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Gamay, Grüner Veltliner, Hard Cider, Viognier | Beaujolais, Chardonnay, Clam Chowder, Cod, Dijon Mustard, Grilled Cheese, Grüner Veltliner, Ham, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms |
| Other Good Pairings | Cabernet Franc, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Grapes, Kolsch, Merlot, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, White Burgundy | Asparagus, Madeira, Olives, White Burgundy |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Camembert and Gruyère pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Camembert Cheese | Gruyère Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | Switzerland, Specifically The Gruyère Region. |
| Certification | Not Specified | AOP (2007), PGI (2007), GI (2011) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Not Specified | Raw |
| Fat Content | Not Specified | Around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content. |
| Moisture Content | Not Specified | Approximately 35-37%, characteristic of its dense texture. |
| Rind | Bloomy | Natural, orangy |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Dense, moister |
| Taste | Sweet | Nutty, complex |
| Aroma | Buttery, rich | Earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy |
| Colors | Pale yellow | Varies |
| Forms | Not Specified | Cylindrical |
| Age | Not Specified | 5 months to 24+ |
| Rennet Type | Not Specified | Animal |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft, artisan cheese, go for Camembert. But if you enjoy a dense, moister consistency, Gruyère might be the better pick. Camembert has a sweet taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Gruyère offers a nutty, complex profile, ideal for different meals.
