Crème Fraîche Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Crème Fraîche Cheese is a thick, highly viscous cheese from France, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Crème Fraîche Cheese?

Crème fraîche is a French soured cream made from cream and a bacterial culture, with 10 to 45% butterfat and a pH near 4.5. It is less sour than sour cream, and its fat content keeps it from curdling in hot sauces.

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 Crème Fraîche Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Texture: Crème Fraîche Cheese (thick, highly viscous), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Taste: Crème Fraîche Cheese (mildly sour), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Crème Fraîche Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Crème Fraîche Cheese reads as mildly sour, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Crème Fraîche Cheese shows cultured taste from lactococcus bacteria, less sour than sour cream, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark.

Can You Substitute Crème Fraîche Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

Crème Fraîche Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect thick, highly viscous bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Crème Fraîche Cheese reads as mildly sour while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Crème Fraîche 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 thick, highly viscous cheese, go with Crème Fraîche Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Crème Fraîche Cheese suits recipes that want mildly sour notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crème Fraîche Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Crème Fraîche Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Crème Fraîche Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Crème Fraîche Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Crème Fraîche Cheese reads as mildly sour, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Crème Fraîche Cheese made of?

Crème Fraîche Cheese is made from milk. It originates in France.

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, Crème Fraîche Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Crème Fraîche Cheese is thick, highly viscous, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.