Charolais Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Charolais Cheese is a semi-soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Charolais Cheese?

Charolais is a goat's milk cheese from Burgundy. It is cylindrical in shape and has a firm, yet creamy texture. As it ages, its flavor becomes more pronounced, developing a complex nuttiness with a slight tang. Charolais is often enjoyed on cheese boards or used in salads and other dishes that call for a robust goat cheese.

What Is Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or, or Vacherin Mont d'Or, is a seasonal, soft cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. Available from September to May, it has a delicate, creamy texture and a rich, earthy flavor. Mont d'Or is traditionally eaten warmed in the box it comes in, making the interior deliciously runny.

What's the Difference Between Charolais Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Milk type: Charolais Cheese (goat's milk), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Charolais Cheese (unpasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Charolais Cheese (semi-soft), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Charolais Cheese (Bloomy, slightly wrinkled), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Charolais Cheese (Minimum of 16 days), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Charolais Cheese (acidic, salty, sweet), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Charolais Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. Aging plays into this as well. Charolais Cheese at minimum of 16 days develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Charolais Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

Charolais Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Charolais Cheese or Mont d'Or 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 soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Charolais Cheese suits recipes that want acidic, salty, sweet notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charolais Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Charolais Cheese is made from goat milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Charolais Cheese is typically aged minimum of 16 days, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Charolais Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Charolais Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Charolais Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Charolais Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Charolais Cheese is semi-soft, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.