Emmental Cheese vs Farmstead Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese.
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 Is Farmstead Cheese?
Farmstead cheese, called farmhouse cheese in Europe, is made on the same farm that produced the milk. No outside milk is allowed, so each one tastes like the herd and land behind it.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Farmstead Cheese?
- Milk type: Emmental Cheese (cow's milk), Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Farmstead Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | — |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Europe And North America |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | — |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Farmstead Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Farmstead Cheese?
Emmental Cheese can stand in for Farmstead Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Farmstead Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Farmstead Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk; Farmstead Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Farmstead Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Farmstead Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Farmstead Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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.
What is Farmstead Cheese made of?
Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Farmstead Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.