Cream Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Cream Cheese is a fresh soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Cream Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Cream Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cream Cheese (fresh soft, processed), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cream Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Chester, New York, The U.S. | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Fresh soft, processed | Hard |
| Rind | Rindless | — |
| Aging | Unripened, eaten fresh | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Creamy, mild, sweet | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cream Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. On the nose, Cream Cheese offers fresh, pleasant, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey. Aging plays into this as well. Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
In most recipes, Cream Cheese and L'Etivaz 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Cream Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, mild, sweet notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cream Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Cream Cheese is typically aged unripened, eaten fresh, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Cream Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cream Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cream Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cream Cheese leans fresh, pleasant, and L'Etivaz Cheese is closer to smokey.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.