Emmental Cheese vs Saint Marcellin Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Saint Marcellin 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 Marcellin Cheese?
Saint-Marcellin is a small soft cow's milk cheese from the Dauphiné area of France, weighing about 80 grams. It is sold at three stages of ripening, sec, crémeux and bleu, and turns runnier as it ages.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Saint Marcellin Cheese?
- Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Saint Marcellin Cheese (France)
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Saint Marcellin Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Saint Marcellin Cheese (2 to 3 weeks)
- Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Saint Marcellin Cheese (mild, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Saint Marcellin Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Dauphiné, Rhône-Alpes, France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | Mild, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Saint Marcellin Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Saint Marcellin Cheese brings mild, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Saint Marcellin Cheese at 2 to 3 weeks.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Saint Marcellin Cheese?
In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Saint Marcellin 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 Marcellin Cheese brings mild, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Saint Marcellin 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 Marcellin Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Saint Marcellin Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, tangy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Saint Marcellin Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Saint Marcellin Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Saint Marcellin Cheese 2 to 3 weeks.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Saint Marcellin Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Saint Marcellin Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Saint Marcellin Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Saint Marcellin Cheese is mild, tangy.
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 Marcellin Cheese made of?
Saint Marcellin Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 2 to 3 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Saint Marcellin Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Saint Marcellin Cheese is soft, artisan.