Crescenza Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese

Crescenza Cheese is a very soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Crescenza Cheese?

Crescenza, also called stracchino, is an Italian cow's milk cheese from Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Liguria. It is eaten very young and known for a rindless, very soft and creamy body with a mild, slightly acidic flavor.

What Is Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Vacherin Mont d'Or is a soft, seasonal cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of Switzerland and France. It is bound in a strip of spruce bark, sold in a round spruce box, and often warmed in that box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Crescenza Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Crescenza Cheese (Italy), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
• Texture: Crescenza Cheese (very soft, creamy), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Crescenza Cheese (none), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
• Aging: Crescenza Cheese (eaten very young), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Crescenza Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Crescenza Cheese at eaten very young develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.

Can You Substitute Crescenza Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Crescenza Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect very soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.

Which Is Better, Crescenza Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a very soft, creamy cheese, go with Crescenza Cheese. For a soft profile, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crescenza Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Crescenza Cheese originates in Italy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Crescenza Cheese is typically aged eaten very young, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.

Is Crescenza Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Crescenza Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Crescenza Cheese taste like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Crescenza Cheese made of?

Crescenza Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged eaten very young. It originates in Italy.

What is Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese made of?

Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (thermized (swiss), raw (french)). It's typically aged at least 2 weeks. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Crescenza Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Crescenza Cheese is very soft, creamy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.