Cantal Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Cantal Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Cantal Cheese?

Cantal is a firm, uncooked cow's milk cheese from the Auvergne region of central France and one of the oldest cheeses in the country. Its tangy, buttery flavor recalls Cheddar and sharpens with age, from the mild jeune to the hard, nutty vieux.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What's the Difference Between Cantal Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?

• Origin: Cantal Cheese (France), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Cantal Cheese (Raw), Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Cantal Cheese (Semi-hard), Parmesan Cheese (Hard)
• Rind: Cantal Cheese (Gray-white to golden), Parmesan Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Cantal Cheese (Jeune: 30-60 days, Entre-Deux: 90-210 days, Vieux: >8 months), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cantal Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Cantal Cheese shows jeune: soft, milk-and-butter. entre-deux: balanced, intense. vieux: powerful, spicy. diversity of grasslands contributes to flavor., while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Cantal Cheese at jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Cantal Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

In most recipes, Cantal Cheese and Parmesan Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Cantal Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Cantal Cheese. For a hard profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cantal Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cantal Cheese originates in France, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Cantal Cheese is typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Cantal Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Cantal Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Cantal Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Cantal Cheese made of?

Cantal Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months. It originates in France.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Cantal Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cantal Cheese is semi-hard, while Parmesan Cheese is hard.