Glarner Alpkäse Cheese vs Puzzone di Moena Cheese

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, while Puzzone di Moena Cheese is semi-cooked, medium-hard, elastic and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse is a Swiss raw cow's milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Glarus during the summer grazing season. The wheels have no holes and reach the market in mild, spicy and sharp grades. It has held AOP protection since 2014.

What Is Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

Puzzone di Moena is a semi-hard Italian PDO cheese made from raw cow's milk in Val di Fassa, Val di Fiemme and Valle di Primiero. Its washed rind is brick red and greasy, and the cheese is known for a penetrating odor with hints of ammonia.

What's the Difference Between Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (raw), Puzzone di Moena Cheese (Raw, partially skimmed by natural surface skimming)
• Rind: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath), Puzzone di Moena Cheese (Smooth or with a few wrinkles, unctuous, yellow ochre to reddish brown)
• Taste: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening), Puzzone di Moena Cheese (Strong, intense, slightly salty and/or sharp, with a barely-perceptible bitter aftertaste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese Taste Like Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Puzzone di Moena Cheese brings strong, intense, slightly salty and/or sharp, with a barely-perceptible bitter aftertaste character.

Can You Substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

In most recipes, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Puzzone di Moena Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening while Puzzone di Moena Cheese brings strong, intense, slightly salty and/or sharp, with a barely-perceptible bitter aftertaste notes.

Which Is Better, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese suits recipes that want mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening notes, while Puzzone di Moena Cheese fits dishes calling for strong, intense, slightly salty and/or sharp, with a barely-perceptible bitter aftertaste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese the same as Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese similar to Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.

Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese taste like Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Puzzone di Moena Cheese is strong, intense, slightly salty and/or sharp, with a barely-perceptible bitter aftertaste.

What is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).

What is Puzzone di Moena Cheese made of?

Puzzone di Moena Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, partially skimmed by natural surface skimming), using bovi rennet. It's typically aged minimum 90 days, mature after 150 days. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Puzzone di Moena Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.