Emmental Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Emmental Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Emmental Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | Gray-blue |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Emmental Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.