Goat Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese
Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese, also called chèvre, is cheese made from goat's milk. It is produced around the world in styles ranging from fresh and soft to aged and hard, and is known for the tart, goaty flavor that comes from the milk's medium-chain fatty acids.
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 Goat Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?
- Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
- Taste: Goat Cheese (tart, goaty), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goat Cheese | Mont d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Worldwide | Jura Mountains, Doubs |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, semihard or hard | Soft |
| Rind | — | Washed rind |
| Aging | — | 21 to 60 days |
| Taste | Tart, goaty | Resinous, mild to pungent |
Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark.
Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
Goat Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, semihard or hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.
Which Is Better, Goat 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 soft, semihard or hard cheese, go with Goat Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese suits recipes that want tart, goaty notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goat Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow.
Is Goat Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Goat Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
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, Goat Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.