Emmental Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep 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 Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

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

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Roquefort Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Emmental Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
• Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

Emmental Cheese can stand in for Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong.

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 Roquefort Cheese made of?

Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.