Glarner Alpkäse Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese
Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.
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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.
What's the Difference Between Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (raw), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier)
- Rind: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
- Taste: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Glarner Alpkäse Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Glarus, Switzerland | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | — | Soft and tender |
| Rind | Natural, formed in a salt bath | Washed-rind |
| Aging | — | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character.
Can You Substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
In most recipes, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Saint-Nectaire 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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Saint-Nectaire 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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut.
What is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).
What is Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?
Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.