Emmental Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

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

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Parmesan 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 hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Parmesan 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 hard, artisan profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory.

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 Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan.