Époisses Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Époisses Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Époisses Cheese?

Époisses is a pungent soft-paste cow's milk cheese from the village of Époisses in Burgundy, France. Washed in brine and Marc de Bourgogne as it ripens, it has a soft red-orange rind that is edible and a strong smell.

What Is Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Époisses Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Époisses Cheese (raw or pasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Époisses Cheese (Soft and creamy), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Époisses Cheese (Washed-rind), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Époisses Cheese (Minimum of 28 days), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Époisses Cheese (Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Époisses Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Époisses Cheese shows penetrating odor, undergrowth aromas, soft and melting, slightly crumbly center if not long matured, creamy sensation on the palette, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Époisses Cheese at minimum of 28 days develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Époisses Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Époisses Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Époisses Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and creamy cheese, go with Époisses Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Époisses Cheese suits recipes that want subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Époisses Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Époisses Cheese is typically aged minimum of 28 days, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Époisses Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Époisses Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Époisses Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Époisses Cheese made of?

Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 28 days. It originates in France.

What is Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Époisses Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Époisses Cheese is soft and creamy, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.