Cream Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Cream Cheese is a fresh soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

What Is Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

What's the Difference Between Cream Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?

• Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
• Milk treatment: Cream Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Cream Cheese (fresh soft, processed), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
• Rind: Cream Cheese (rindless), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
• Aging: Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
• Taste: Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cream Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Cream Cheese offers fresh, pleasant, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.

Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes, Cream Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect fresh soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Cream Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh soft, processed cheese, go with Cream Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, mild, sweet notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cream Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Aging also differs: Cream Cheese is typically aged unripened, eaten fresh, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.

Is Cream Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Does Cream Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cream Cheese leans fresh, pleasant, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.

What is Cream Cheese made of?

Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.