Domiati Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Domiati Cheese is a soft cow, goat, or buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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 Domiati Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Domiati Cheese (Egypt), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Rind: Domiati Cheese (None), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Domiati Cheese (Salty), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Domiati Cheese shows salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

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

Domiati Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Domiati Cheese reads as salty while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Domiati Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Domiati Cheese suits recipes that want salty notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Domiati Cheese originates in Egypt, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Domiati Cheese is typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Domiati Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

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

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Domiati Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

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, Domiati Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.