Emmental Cheese vs Herve Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Herve Cheese is soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Belgium.
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 Herve Cheese?
Herve is a Belgian washed rind cheese made from raw cow's milk in the countryside near Liège, where it has been produced since the 15th century. It is known for the powerful smell that Brevibacterium linens gives it after about three months of ripening.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Herve Cheese?
- Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Herve Cheese (Belgium)
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Herve Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Herve Cheese (washed)
- Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Herve Cheese (about 3 months)
- Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Herve Cheese (smooth, spicy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Herve Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Belgium |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Herve, Province Of Liège, Belgium |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Washed |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | About 3 months |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | Smooth, spicy |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Herve Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Herve Cheese brings smooth, spicy character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Herve Cheese leans toward sweet when young, spicy with age. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Herve Cheese at about 3 months.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Herve Cheese?
In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Herve 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 soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Herve Cheese brings smooth, spicy notes.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Herve 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 soft, artisan profile, Herve Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Herve Cheese fits dishes calling for smooth, spicy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Herve Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Herve Cheese comes from Belgium. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Herve Cheese about 3 months.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Herve Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Herve Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Herve Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Herve Cheese is smooth, spicy.
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 Herve Cheese made of?
Herve Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Belgium.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Herve Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Herve Cheese is soft, artisan.