Emmental Cheese vs Strathdon Blue Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Strathdon Blue Cheese is semi-soft, blue-veined and made from cow milk, originating in Scotland.
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 Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Strathdon Blue is a full-fat blue cheese made in Tain, Scotland, by Highland Fine Cheeses. It is made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet, tastes tangy, and won a gold medal at the 2007 British Cheese Awards.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Strathdon Blue Cheese?
- Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Strathdon Blue Cheese (Scotland)
- Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Strathdon Blue Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Strathdon Blue Cheese (semi-soft, blue-veined)
- Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Strathdon Blue Cheese (creamy, salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Strathdon Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Scotland |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Tain, Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Semi-soft, blue-veined |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | — |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | Creamy, salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Strathdon Blue Cheese brings creamy, salty character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Strathdon Blue Cheese leans toward tangy.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Strathdon Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Strathdon Blue 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 semi-soft, blue-veined. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Strathdon Blue Cheese brings creamy, salty notes.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Strathdon Blue 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, blue-veined profile, Strathdon Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Strathdon Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy, salty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Strathdon Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Strathdon Blue Cheese comes from Scotland.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Strathdon Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Strathdon Blue Cheese is creamy, salty.
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 Strathdon Blue Cheese made of?
Strathdon Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It originates in Scotland.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Strathdon Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Strathdon Blue Cheese is semi-soft, blue-veined.