Comté Cheese vs Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm and made from goat 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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Selles-sur-Cher is a goat milk cheese from Centre-Val de Loire, France, first made in the 19th century in the commune it is named for. It comes as a small charcoal-dusted cylinder of about 150 g, known for its grey-blue mould rind and lightly salty paste.

What's the Difference Between Comté Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

• Milk type: Comté Cheese (Cow's Milk), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Whole goat’s milk)
• Milk treatment: Comté Cheese (Raw), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fine and firm)
• Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ash-coated, light to dark ash)
• Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ten days minimum)
• Taste: Comté Cheese (Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fresh, hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut 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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese leans toward chalky-white, homogenous, highlighted by rind. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Selles-sur-Cher Cheese at ten days minimum.

Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Comté Cheese can stand in for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth; semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for fine and firm. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Comté Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher 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 fine and firm profile, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted notes, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese fits dishes calling for fresh, hazelnut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comté Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Comté Cheese is made from cow milk; Selles-sur-Cher Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese ten days minimum.

Is Comté Cheese similar to Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Does Comté Cheese taste like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fresh, hazelnut.

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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese made of?

Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using small amount rennet. It's typically aged ten days minimum. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Comté Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm.