Emmental Cheese vs Fourme d'Ambert Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

Fourme d'Ambert is a semi-hard blue cheese from the Auvergne region of France, sold in a narrow cylinder. One of the country's oldest cheeses, it dates back to Roman times and is inoculated with Penicillium roqueforti.

What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (mostly pasteurized, some raw)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (semi-hard)
• Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (Light gray-blue)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (Minimum 28 days from the date of renneting)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (Mild blue cheese)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Fourme d'Ambert Cheese brings mild blue cheese character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Fourme d'Ambert Cheese leans toward subtle, delicate, creamy, balanced. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Fourme d'Ambert Cheese at minimum 28 days from the date of renneting.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Fourme d'Ambert Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese minimum 28 days from the date of renneting.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is mild blue cheese.

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 Fourme d'Ambert Cheese made of?

Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is made from cow milk (mostly pasteurized, some raw). It's typically aged minimum 28 days from the date of renneting. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is semi-hard.