Emmental Cheese vs Livarot Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth 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 Livarot Cheese?

Livarot is a soft, pungent washed-rind cheese from Normandy, made with Normande cow's milk and protected by an AOC since 1975. Rings of dried reedmace circle its orange rind, which is why it also goes by the name colonel.

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

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Livarot Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Livarot Cheese (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Livarot Cheese (Chewy, Melts in the mouth)
• Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Livarot Cheese (Sticky, Orangey)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Livarot Cheese (21 days)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Livarot Cheese (Pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Livarot Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Livarot Cheese brings pungent character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Livarot Cheese leans toward onion, hay, smoke, with a pungent animalian aroma. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Livarot Cheese at 21 days.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Livarot Cheese brings pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth profile, Livarot Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Livarot Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Livarot Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Livarot Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Livarot Cheese 21 days.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Livarot Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Livarot Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Livarot Cheese is pungent.

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 Livarot Cheese made of?

Livarot Cheese is made from cow milk (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Livarot Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth.