Emmental Cheese vs Laguiole Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple 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 Laguiole Cheese?

Laguiole is a pressed, uncooked cheese from the Aubrac plateau in southern France, made only from raw Simmental or Aubrac cow's milk. Protected by AOC since 1961, it is the main cheese in aligot, the regional dish of mashed potatoes with cream and butter.

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

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Laguiole Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Laguiole Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Laguiole Cheese (Firm and supple)
• Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Laguiole Cheese (Dry whitish to light gray, aging to amber-brown to granite gray)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Laguiole Cheese (4-10+ months)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Laguiole Cheese (Medium to intense)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Laguiole Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Laguiole Cheese leans toward dry whitish to light gray rind transitioning to amber-brown to granite gray as aged. the body is ivory to straw yellow. flavor ranges from milky and fresh grass to nuts, with a lactic flavor varying by age. consumed as a table cheese, in salads, or for cooking. noted for use in aligot de l’aubrac.. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Laguiole Cheese at 4-10+ months.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Laguiole 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 firm and supple. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Laguiole 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 firm and supple profile, Laguiole Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Laguiole Cheese fits dishes calling for medium to intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Laguiole Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Laguiole Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Laguiole Cheese 4-10+ months.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Laguiole Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Laguiole Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Laguiole Cheese is medium to intense.

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 Laguiole Cheese made of?

Laguiole Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-10+ months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Laguiole Cheese?

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