Geitost Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Geitost Cheese is a semi-hard, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Norway, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Geitost Cheese?

Geitost is the Norwegian brown whey cheese made with goat's milk in the mix. Boiling milk, cream and whey caramelizes the milk sugars, which gives it a deep brown color and a sweet, caramel taste with a tang behind it.

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 Geitost Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Geitost Cheese (Norway), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Geitost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Geitost Cheese (semi-hard, whey), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Geitost Cheese (natural), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Geitost Cheese (not aged), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Geitost Cheese (burnt caramel, sweet), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Geitost Cheese shows sweet and caramel-like, with a tang that is sharper in the goat's milk versions, 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. Geitost Cheese at not aged develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

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

Geitost Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Geitost 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 semi-hard, whey cheese, go with Geitost Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Geitost Cheese suits recipes that want burnt caramel, sweet notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Geitost Cheese originates in Norway, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Geitost Cheese is typically aged not aged, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Geitost Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Geitost Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Geitost Cheese made of?

Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk. It's typically aged not aged. It originates in Norway.

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, Geitost Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Geitost Cheese is semi-hard, whey, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.