Emmental Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Emmental Cheese
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Vacherin Mont d'Or is a soft, seasonal cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of Switzerland and France. It is bound in a strip of spruce bark, sold in a round spruce box, and often warmed in that box and eaten like fondue.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
- Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | Jura Region, Switzerland And France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Thermized (Swiss), raw (French) |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | Washed rind |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | At least 2 weeks |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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 profile, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese made of?
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (thermized (swiss), raw (french)). It's typically aged at least 2 weeks. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.