Époisses Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Époisses Cheese
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Époisses Cheese is a soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
Buy Époisses Cheese
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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 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 Époisses Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Époisses Cheese (France), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Époisses Cheese (raw or pasteurized), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
- Texture: Époisses Cheese (Soft, creamy), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Époisses Cheese (Washed-rind), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
- Aging: Époisses Cheese (Minimum of 28 days), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Époisses Cheese | Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Auxois And Terre Plaine, Burgundy | Jura Region, Switzerland And France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | Thermized (Swiss), raw (French) |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Soft |
| Rind | Washed-rind | Washed rind |
| Aging | Minimum of 28 days | At least 2 weeks |
| Taste | Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Époisses Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Époisses Cheese at minimum of 28 days develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.
Can You Substitute Époisses Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Époisses 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 soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.
Which Is Better, Époisses 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 soft, creamy cheese, go with Époisses 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 Époisses Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Époisses Cheese originates in France, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Époisses Cheese is typically aged minimum of 28 days, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.
Is Époisses Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Époisses Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Époisses 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 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 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, Époisses Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Époisses Cheese is soft, creamy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.