Époisses Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Époisses Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Époisses Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?"
  • "Is Époisses Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Époisses Cheese compare to L'Etivaz Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Époisses Cheese compare to L'Etivaz Cheese?"
  • "Is Époisses Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese better?"

Époisses Cheese Overview

Époisses is a strongly flavored, washed-rind cheese from Burgundy, made from cow's milk. It is known for its creamy texture and rich, intense flavor with hints of barnyard and bacon. The rind is washed with Marc de Bourgogne brandy during maturation, contributing to its characteristic strong smell and deep orange color. Époisses is typically eaten with crusty bread or used to add depth to sauces.

L'Etivaz Cheese Overview

L'Etivaz is a hard Alpine cheese from the Vaud region of Switzerland, similar to Gruyère but made in a more artisanal fashion. It is produced only from May to October, using milk from cows grazing on mountain pastures. The cheese has a complex flavor, with fruity, nutty notes and a hint of smokiness, developed during the traditional wood-fired production process.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Époisses Cheese comes from France. L'Etivaz Cheese originated from Switzerland.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Époisses Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1991). L'Etivaz Cheese has a GI (2011).

Milk Type and Treatment

Époisses Cheese is made with cow milk. L'Etivaz Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Époisses's texture can be described as "soft and creamy". L'Etivaz's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

Époisses Cheese has a subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced taste. Époisses's aroma can be described as "undergrowth". L'Etivaz's aroma can be described as "smokey".

Appearance and Aging

Époisses Cheese's appearance is colored orange ivory to brick red , is available in small and large sizes and is aged minimum of 28 days . L'Etivaz Cheese has a color of pale yellow .

Rind and Rennet Type

Époisses Cheese's rind is described as washed-rind .

Ranking

Époisses is ranked #30 out of 996 types based on community views. L'Etivaz is ranked #82 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Époisses L'Etivaz
Best Pairings Burgundy Red No pairings listed.
Other Good Pairings No additional pairings listed. No additional pairings listed.

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Époisses and L'Etivaz pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Époisses Cheese L'Etivaz Cheese
Country of Origin France Switzerland
Specific Origin Auxois And Terre Plaine, Burgundy Not Specified
Certification PDO (1996), AOC (1991) GI (2011)
Milk Type Cow's Milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Not Specified Unpasteurized
Rind Washed-rind Not Specified
Texture Soft and creamy Hard
Taste Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced Not Specified
Aroma Undergrowth Smokey
Colors Orange ivory to brick red Pale yellow
Forms Small and large sizes Not Specified
Age Minimum of 28 days Not Specified

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a soft and creamy cheese, go for Époisses. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, L'Etivaz might be the better pick.

Compare Époisses Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare L'Etivaz Cheese to Other Cheeses

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