Chevrotin Cheese vs Emmental Cheese

Chevrotin Cheese is a soft, unctuous goat-milk cheese from France, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Chevrotin Cheese?

Chevrotin is a soft goat milk cheese from Savoy in France, made with unpasteurised milk and ripened at least three weeks on pine shelves. It holds an AOC and is known for a full flavor with a sourness that recalls wild mountain herbs.

What Is Emmental Cheese?

Emmental is a yellow, medium-hard Swiss cheese from the Emme Valley, known for the natural holes that run through it. The taste is savoury but mild. It is eaten cold in chunks or slices and melted into dishes such as gratins.

What's the Difference Between Chevrotin Cheese and Emmental Cheese?

• Origin: Chevrotin Cheese (France), Emmental Cheese (Switzerland)
• Milk type: Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk), Emmental Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized), Emmental Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous), Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard)
• Rind: Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind), Emmental Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days), Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year)
• Taste: Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine), Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Chevrotin Cheese Taste Like Emmental Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet character. More specifically, Chevrotin Cheese shows gentle goatiness, balance of salt, vegetal notes, alpine flowers, pinkish exterior, fine white mold, ivory paste, while Emmental Cheese leans toward characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged. Aging plays into this as well. Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days develops a different profile than Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year.

Can You Substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Emmental Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese can stand in for Emmental Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, unctuous bite and body where the recipe calls for hard or medium-hard. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Chevrotin Cheese or Emmental Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, unctuous cheese, go with Chevrotin Cheese. For a hard or medium-hard profile, Emmental Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese suits recipes that want mild, caprine notes, while Emmental Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chevrotin Cheese the same as Emmental Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chevrotin Cheese originates in France, while Emmental Cheese comes from Switzerland. Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk; Emmental Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chevrotin Cheese is typically aged 21+ days, Emmental Cheese 4 months to over 1 year.

Is Chevrotin Cheese similar to Emmental Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Emmental Cheese?

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

Does Chevrotin Cheese taste like Emmental Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Emmental Cheese is nutty, sweet.

What is Chevrotin Cheese made of?

Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged 21+ days. It originates in France.

What is Emmental Cheese made of?

Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to over 1 year. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Chevrotin Cheese or Emmental Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard.