Dunlop Cheese vs Emmental Cheese

Dunlop Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Scotland, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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 Is Emmental Cheese?

Emmental is a yellow, medium-hard Swiss cheese from the Emme Valley, known for the natural holes that run through it. The taste is savoury but mild. It is eaten cold in chunks or slices and melted into dishes such as gratins.

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

• Origin: Dunlop Cheese (Scotland), Emmental Cheese (Switzerland)
• Milk treatment: Dunlop Cheese (pasteurized), Emmental Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Dunlop Cheese (hard), Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard)
• Aging: Dunlop Cheese (6 to 12 months), Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year)
• Taste: Dunlop Cheese (buttery, nutty, sweet), Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Dunlop Cheese Taste Like Emmental Cheese?

Dunlop Cheese reads as buttery, nutty, sweet, while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet character. More specifically, Dunlop Cheese shows mild, sweet and buttery-tasting, while Emmental Cheese leans toward characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged. Aging plays into this as well. Dunlop Cheese at 6 to 12 months develops a different profile than Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year.

Can You Substitute Dunlop Cheese for Emmental Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Dunlop Cheese or Emmental Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dunlop Cheese the same as Emmental Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Dunlop Cheese originates in Scotland, while Emmental Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Dunlop Cheese is typically aged 6 to 12 months, Emmental Cheese 4 months to over 1 year.

Is Dunlop Cheese similar to Emmental Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Dunlop Cheese for Emmental Cheese?

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

Does Dunlop Cheese taste like Emmental Cheese?

Dunlop Cheese reads as buttery, nutty, sweet, while Emmental Cheese is nutty, sweet.

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.

What is Emmental Cheese made of?

Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to over 1 year. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Dunlop Cheese or Emmental Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Dunlop Cheese is hard, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard.