American Gruyere Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Q: Is American Gruyere Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No. American Gruyere Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese are distinct cheeses from United States and Norway respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute American Gruyere Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap American Gruyere Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, American Gruyere Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

American Gruyere Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese

American Gruyere Cheese is a semi-firm cow-milk cheese from United States, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

What Is American Gruyere Cheese?

American Gruyere is a Gruyere-style cheese made in the United States, with Wisconsin producing the most of it. A U.S. court ruled in 2021 that gruyere is a generic cheese name, which leaves American makers free to use it.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

What's the Difference Between American Gruyere Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?

Origin: American Gruyere Cheese (United States), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
Texture: American Gruyere Cheese (Semi-Firm), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
Rind: American Gruyere Cheese (Natural or Brushed, Sometimes Waxed), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
Aging: American Gruyere Cheese (Typically 3-6 months), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
Taste: American Gruyere Cheese (Mild, Nutty, Slightly Buttery), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	American Gruyere Cheese	Jarlsberg Cheese
Country of Origin	United States	Norway
Specific Origin	Wisconsin, The U.S.	Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Semi-Firm	Semihard
Rind	Natural or Brushed, Sometimes Waxed	Plastic-covered
Aging	Typically 3-6 months	Three months to twelve months
Taste	Mild, Nutty, Slightly Buttery	Mild, sweet, nutty

Taste Comparison: Does American Gruyere Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

American Gruyere Cheese reads as mild, nutty, slightly buttery, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, American Gruyere Cheese offers mild, slightly nutty, buttery, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. More specifically, American Gruyere Cheese shows buttery, mildly nutty, slightly sweet, less complex than traditional gruyère, while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. American Gruyere Cheese at typically 3-6 months develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.

Can You Substitute American Gruyere Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes, American Gruyere Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-firm bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, American Gruyere Cheese reads as mild, nutty, slightly buttery while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, American Gruyere Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-firm cheese, go with American Gruyere Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, American Gruyere Cheese suits recipes that want mild, nutty, slightly buttery notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Gruyere Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. American Gruyere Cheese originates in United States, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Aging also differs: American Gruyere Cheese is typically aged typically 3-6 months, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.

Is American Gruyere Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Can I substitute American Gruyere Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does American Gruyere Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

American Gruyere Cheese reads as mild, nutty, slightly buttery, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. American Gruyere Cheese leans mild, slightly nutty, buttery, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.

What is American Gruyere Cheese made of?

American Gruyere Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using microbial or vegetarian (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 3-6 months. It originates in United States.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

Which should I choose, American Gruyere Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. American Gruyere Cheese is semi-firm, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.