Comté Cheese vs Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese
Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is soft, slightly pressed paste and made from cow milk.
What Is Comté Cheese?
Comté is a hard cheese from eastern France, made daily from raw cow's milk in village dairies called fruitières. It holds PDO status, has the largest production of any French PDO cheese, and tastes mild, nutty, salty and slightly sweet.
What Is Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
Mont d'Or, also known as Vacherin du Haut-Doubs, is a soft cheese made from raw cow's milk. It originates from the Haut Doubs region in France, near the Swiss border. The cheese has a slightly pressed paste and a washed rind with a downy coating. It is traditionally encircled by a strip of spruce bark and packaged in a spruce wood box. Mont d'Or has a fat content of 45% and is produced seasonally from August 15 to March
What's the Difference Between Comté Cheese and Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
- Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (Soft, slightly pressed paste)
- Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (Washed and given a downy coating)
- Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (At least three months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Comté Cheese | Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Massif Du Jura | Haut Doubs, Alongside The Swiss Border, Mont D'Or Massif, Source Of The River Doubs |
| Milk Type | Cow's Milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Smooth; Semi-hard | Soft, slightly pressed paste |
| Rind | Natural | Washed and given a downy coating |
| Aging | 4 months to 3 years | At least three months |
| Taste | Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese at at least three months.
Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
In most recipes, Comté Cheese and Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth; semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, slightly pressed paste.
Which Is Better, Comté Cheese or Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go with Comté Cheese. For a soft, slightly pressed paste profile, Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Comté Cheese the same as Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese at least three months.
Is Comté Cheese similar to Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Comté Cheese taste like Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Comté Cheese made of?
Comté Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to 3 years. It originates in France.
What is Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese made of?
Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using yes rennet. It's typically aged at least three months.
Which should I choose, Comté Cheese or Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is soft, slightly pressed paste.