Emmental Cheese vs Rocamadour Cheese

Q: Is Emmental Cheese the same as Rocamadour Cheese?

No. Emmental Cheese and Rocamadour Cheese are distinct cheeses from Switzerland and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Rocamadour Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Emmental Cheese for Rocamadour Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Rocamadour Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Emmental Cheese

Rocamadour Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Rocamadour Cheese is soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured) and made from goat 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 Rocamadour Cheese?

Rocamadour is a very small raw goat's milk cheese from southwest France, named after the village of Rocamadour in the Lot. It is soft, creamy and white, weighs about 35 grams, and has carried AOC status since 1996.

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

Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Rocamadour Cheese (France)
Milk type: Emmental Cheese (cow's milk), Rocamadour Cheese (goat's milk)
Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Rocamadour Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Rocamadour Cheese (Soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured))
Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Rocamadour Cheese (White, soft (early); (matured))
Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Rocamadour Cheese (Between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor)
Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Rocamadour Cheese (Mild; becomes stronger)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Emmental Cheese	Rocamadour Cheese
Country of Origin	Switzerland	France
Specific Origin	Emmental, Canton Of Bern	Communes Of The Causses Du Quercy
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Unpasteurized
Texture	Hard or medium-hard	Soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured)
Rind	Natural	White, soft (early); (matured)
Aging	4 months to over 1 year	Between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor
Taste	Nutty, sweet	Mild; becomes stronger

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Rocamadour Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Rocamadour Cheese brings mild; becomes stronger character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Rocamadour Cheese leans toward creamy, buttery, distinctive goat smell. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Rocamadour Cheese at between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Rocamadour Cheese?

Emmental Cheese can stand in for Rocamadour Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard or medium-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured). Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Rocamadour Cheese brings mild; becomes stronger notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Rocamadour 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 and creamy; becomes drier (matured) profile, Rocamadour Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Rocamadour Cheese fits dishes calling for mild; becomes stronger.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Rocamadour Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Rocamadour Cheese comes from France. Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk; Rocamadour Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Rocamadour Cheese between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Rocamadour Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Rocamadour Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Rocamadour Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Rocamadour Cheese is mild; becomes stronger.

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 Rocamadour Cheese made of?

Rocamadour Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Rocamadour Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Rocamadour Cheese is soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured).