Comté Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

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

• Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Comté Cheese (Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Comté Cheese shows nutty, creamy, sweet through more meaty and roasted flavors, smooth texture, range of ages from 4 months to 3 years, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

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

In most recipes, Comté Cheese and Mont d'Or 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. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Comté 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 smooth; semi-hard cheese, go with Comté Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Comté Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Comté Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 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, Comté Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

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