Charolais Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Charolais Cheese is a semi-soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

What Is Charolais Cheese?

Charolais is a raw goat's milk cheese from the Charolais and Brionnais hills of Burgundy, France. It is one of the largest goat cheeses, sold as a tall barrel-shaped round of 250 to 310 grams, and has carried PDO status since 2014.

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 Charolais Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?

• Origin: Charolais Cheese (France), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
• Milk type: Charolais Cheese (goat's milk), Jarlsberg Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Charolais Cheese (unpasteurized), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Charolais Cheese (semi-soft), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
• Rind: Charolais Cheese (Bloomy, slightly wrinkled), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
• Aging: Charolais Cheese (Minimum of 16 days), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
• Taste: Charolais Cheese (acidic, salty, sweet), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Charolais Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Charolais Cheese offers subtle, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Charolais Cheese at minimum of 16 days develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.

Can You Substitute Charolais Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

Charolais Cheese can stand in for Jarlsberg Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Charolais Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Charolais Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Charolais Cheese suits recipes that want acidic, salty, sweet notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charolais Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Charolais Cheese originates in France, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Charolais Cheese is made from goat milk; Jarlsberg Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Charolais Cheese is typically aged minimum of 16 days, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.

Is Charolais Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Charolais Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Does Charolais Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Charolais Cheese leans subtle, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.

What is Charolais Cheese made of?

Charolais Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 16 days. 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, Charolais Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Charolais Cheese is semi-soft, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.