Feta Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese

Q: Is Feta Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

No. Feta Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese are distinct cheeses from Greece and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Feta Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Feta Cheese taste like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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

Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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 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 Feta Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (cow)
Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Feta Cheese	Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Country of Origin	Greece	Switzerland
Specific Origin	Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture	Jura Region, Switzerland And France
Milk Type	Goat's and sheep's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized, sometimes raw	Thermized (Swiss), raw (French)
Texture	Soft, white, aged in brine	Soft
Rind	None	Washed rind
Aging	2 months to longer	At least 2 weeks
Taste	Sharp to mild	—

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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 soft.

Which Is Better, Feta 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, white, aged in brine cheese, go with Feta 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 Feta Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Feta 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 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 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, Feta Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.