Emmental Cheese vs Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

Q: Is Emmental Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

No. Emmental Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher 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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher 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

Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm 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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Selles-sur-Cher is a goat milk cheese from Centre-Val de Loire, France, first made in the 19th century in the commune it is named for. It comes as a small charcoal-dusted cylinder of about 150 g, known for its grey-blue mould rind and lightly salty paste.

What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (France)
Milk type: Emmental Cheese (cow's milk), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Whole goat’s milk)
Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fine and firm)
Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ash-coated, light to dark ash)
Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ten days minimum)
Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fresh, hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Emmental Cheese	Selles-sur-Cher Cheese
Country of Origin	Switzerland	France
Specific Origin	Emmental, Canton Of Bern	Sologne, North-Central France
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Whole goat’s milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Unpasteurized
Texture	Hard or medium-hard	Fine and firm
Rind	Natural	Ash-coated, light to dark ash
Aging	4 months to over 1 year	Ten days minimum
Taste	Nutty, sweet	Fresh, hazelnut

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese leans toward chalky-white, homogenous, highlighted by rind. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Selles-sur-Cher Cheese at ten days minimum.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Emmental Cheese can stand in for Selles-sur-Cher 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 fine and firm. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher 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 fine and firm profile, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese fits dishes calling for fresh, hazelnut.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese comes from France. Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk; Selles-sur-Cher Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese ten days minimum.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fresh, hazelnut.

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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese made of?

Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using small amount rennet. It's typically aged ten days minimum. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm.