Cream Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Cream Cheese is a fresh, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 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 Cream Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Cream Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Cream Cheese (Fresh, processed), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Cream Cheese (rindless), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. Aging plays into this as well. Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

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

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

Which Is Better, Cream 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 fresh, processed cheese, go with Cream Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, mild, sweet notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cream Cheese is typically aged unripened, eaten fresh, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Cream Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Cream Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 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, Cream Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cream Cheese is fresh, processed, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.