Feta Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Q: Is Feta Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No. Feta Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese are distinct cheeses from Greece and Norway respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Feta Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Feta Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?

Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Jarlsberg Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Feta Cheese	Jarlsberg Cheese
Country of Origin	Greece	Norway
Specific Origin	Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture	Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway
Milk Type	Goat's and sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized, sometimes raw	Pasteurized
Texture	Soft, white, aged in brine	Semihard
Rind	None	Plastic-covered
Aging	2 months to longer	Three months to twelve months
Taste	Sharp to mild	Mild, sweet, nutty

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. More specifically, Feta Cheese shows sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to producer., while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Jarlsberg Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, white, aged in brine bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, white, aged in brine cheese, go with Feta Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Jarlsberg Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Feta Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.