Graviera Kritis Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Graviera Kritis Cheese is a hard goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Graviera Kritis Cheese?

Graviera Kritis is the Cretan version of graviera, a hard Greek sheep's milk cheese with protected designation of origin status. It ripens for at least five months and tastes slightly sweet, with a burnt caramel note.

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 Graviera Kritis Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Greece), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Sheep's milk, Goat's milk (up to 20%)), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Hard), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Natural rind), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Graviera Kritis Cheese (At least 3 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Nutty, Sweet), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Graviera Kritis Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Graviera Kritis Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Graviera Kritis Cheese shows mellow, nutty, slightly sweet when young, sharpens and becomes slightly peppery as it ages, 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. Graviera Kritis Cheese at at least 3 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Graviera Kritis Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graviera Kritis Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Graviera Kritis Cheese originates in Greece, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Graviera Kritis Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Graviera Kritis Cheese is typically aged at least 3 months, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Graviera Kritis Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Graviera Kritis Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Graviera Kritis Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Graviera Kritis Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Graviera Kritis Cheese made of?

Graviera Kritis Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months. It originates in Greece.

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, Graviera Kritis Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Graviera Kritis Cheese is hard, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.