Graviera Naxou Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Graviera Naxou Cheese is a elastic cow, 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 Naxou Cheese?

Graviera Naxou is a yellow hard cheese from the Greek island of Naxos, made with pasteurized cow's milk and up to 20 percent sheep's milk. It is known for its delicate, slightly sharp aroma and its PDO status, held since 1996.

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 Naxou Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Greece), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Predominantly cow's milk, sheep’s or goat’s milk (up to 20%)), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Graviera Naxou Cheese (pasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Elastic), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Smear rind), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Graviera Naxou Cheese (3 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Graviera Naxou Cheese shows produced traditionally, small-scale, without starter, renneted at 91–97°f, aged at least 3 months, 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 Naxou Cheese at 3 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

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

Graviera Naxou Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect elastic bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.

Which Is Better, Graviera Naxou 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 elastic cheese, go with Graviera Naxou Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Graviera Naxou Cheese made of?

Graviera Naxou Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized), using traditional lamb's stomach rennet. It's typically aged 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 Naxou Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

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