Feta Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Feta Cheese?
Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.
What Is L'Etivaz Cheese?
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.
What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), L'Etivaz Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Throughout Greece | — |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Hard |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | — |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | — |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Feta Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Riesling, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Sauvignon Blanc, Seaweed, Shrimp, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Chicken, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Compote, Gamay, German Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Tacos, Tequila, Tuna, Viognier | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Feta Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese
Feta Cheese
L'Etivaz Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for L'Etivaz 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 hard.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; L'Etivaz Cheese uses cow.
Is Feta Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Feta Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Feta Cheese made of?
Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw). It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.
What is L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.
See full profiles: Feta Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese.