Emmental Cheese vs Saint Felicien Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Saint Felicien Cheese is soft, artisan 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 Saint Felicien Cheese?
Saint-Félicien is a soft cow's milk cheese from the Rhône-Alpes region of France, with a creamy interior under a flower-style fleurie casing. Rounds average 180 grams (6.3 oz), and it is softer and creamier than its close relative Saint-Marcellin.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Saint Felicien Cheese?
- Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Saint Felicien Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Saint Felicien Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Saint Felicien Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Saint Felicien Cheese (flower-style (fleurie) casing)
- Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Saint Felicien Cheese (4 to 6 weeks)
- Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Saint Felicien Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Saint Felicien Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Rhône-Alpes, France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Flower-style (fleurie) casing |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | Creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Saint Felicien Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Saint Felicien Cheese brings creamy character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Saint Felicien Cheese leans toward similar to saint-marcellin, softer and creamier. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Saint Felicien Cheese at 4 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Saint Felicien Cheese?
In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Saint Felicien 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 soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Saint Felicien Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Saint Felicien 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, artisan profile, Saint Felicien Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Saint Felicien Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Saint Felicien Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Saint Felicien Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Saint Felicien Cheese 4 to 6 weeks.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Saint Felicien Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Saint Felicien Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Saint Felicien Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Saint Felicien Cheese is creamy.
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 Saint Felicien Cheese made of?
Saint Felicien Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 4 to 6 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Saint Felicien Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Saint Felicien Cheese is soft, artisan.