Comté Cheese vs Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

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

No. Comté Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

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

In most recipes you can swap Comté Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Comté Cheese

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 French cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. It is one of the most popular AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) cheeses, known for its complex flavors which can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Comté is aged for a minimum of four months, with some wheels maturing for over a year to develop a deeper flavor profile.

What Is Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Selles-sur-Cher is a French goat cheese from the Centre-Val de Loire region. It features a distinctive ash-covered rind and a firm yet creamy texture. The cheese has a subtle nutty flavor with a hint of tanginess. As it matures, the flavor intensifies, becoming more pronounced and slightly salty.

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)
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

	Comté Cheese	Selles-sur-Cher Cheese
Country of Origin	France	France
Specific Origin	Massif Du Jura	Sologne, North-Central France
Milk Type	Cow's Milk	Whole goat’s milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	—
Texture	Smooth; Semi-hard	Fine and firm
Rind	Natural	Ash-coated, light to dark ash
Aging	4 months to 3 years	Ten days minimum
Taste	Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted	Fresh, hazelnut

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.

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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, 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.