Comté Cheese vs Dunlop Cheese

Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Dunlop Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Scotland.

What Is Comté Cheese?

Comté is a hard cheese from eastern France, made daily from raw cow's milk in village dairies called fruitières. It holds PDO status, has the largest production of any French PDO cheese, and tastes mild, nutty, salty and slightly sweet.

What Is Dunlop Cheese?

Dunlop is a sweet-milk cheese from Dunlop in East Ayrshire, Scotland, made from unskimmed cow's milk and close to a soft Cheddar in texture. Mild, sweet and buttery, it matures for six to twelve months and is eaten on its own or with a dram of whisky.

What's the Difference Between Comté Cheese and Dunlop Cheese?

• Origin: Comté Cheese (France), Dunlop Cheese (Scotland)
• Milk treatment: Comté Cheese (Raw), Dunlop Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Dunlop Cheese (hard)
• Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Dunlop Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Dunlop Cheese (6 to 12 months)
• Taste: Comté Cheese (Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted), Dunlop Cheese (buttery, nutty, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Dunlop Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Dunlop Cheese brings buttery, nutty, sweet character. More specifically, Comté Cheese shows nutty, creamy, sweet through more meaty and roasted flavors, smooth texture, range of ages from 4 months to 3 years, while Dunlop Cheese leans toward mild, sweet and buttery-tasting. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Dunlop Cheese at 6 to 12 months.

Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Dunlop Cheese?

In most recipes, Comté Cheese and Dunlop Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth; semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted while Dunlop Cheese brings buttery, nutty, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Comté Cheese or Dunlop Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go with Comté Cheese. For a hard profile, Dunlop Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted notes, while Dunlop Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, nutty, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comté Cheese the same as Dunlop Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Comté Cheese originates in France, while Dunlop Cheese comes from Scotland. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Dunlop Cheese 6 to 12 months.

Is Comté Cheese similar to Dunlop Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Dunlop Cheese?

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

Does Comté Cheese taste like Dunlop Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Dunlop Cheese is buttery, nutty, sweet.

What is Comté Cheese made of?

Comté Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to 3 years. It originates in France.

What is Dunlop Cheese made of?

Dunlop Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 12 months. It originates in Scotland.

Which should I choose, Comté Cheese or Dunlop Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Dunlop Cheese is hard.