Havarti Cheese vs Laguiole Cheese

Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Havarti Cheese?

Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.

What Is Laguiole Cheese?

Laguiole is a pressed, uncooked cheese from the Aubrac plateau in southern France, made only from raw Simmental or Aubrac cow's milk. Protected by AOC since 1961, it is the main cheese in aligot, the regional dish of mashed potatoes with cream and butter.

What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Laguiole Cheese?

• Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Laguiole Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Laguiole Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Laguiole Cheese (Firm and supple)
• Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Laguiole Cheese (Dry whitish to light gray, aging to amber-brown to granite gray)
• Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Laguiole Cheese (4-10+ months)
• Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Laguiole Cheese (Medium to intense)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Laguiole Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense character. On the nose, Havarti Cheese offers buttery, contrasted with Laguiole Cheese's milky and fresh grass, dried meat. More specifically, Havarti Cheese shows mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello., while Laguiole Cheese leans toward dry whitish to light gray rind transitioning to amber-brown to granite gray as aged. the body is ivory to straw yellow. flavor ranges from milky and fresh grass to nuts, with a lactic flavor varying by age. consumed as a table cheese, in salads, or for cooking. noted for use in aligot de l’aubrac.. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Laguiole Cheese at 4-10+ months.

Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Laguiole Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for firm and supple. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense notes.

Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Laguiole Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth cheese, go with Havarti Cheese. For a firm and supple profile, Laguiole Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery notes, while Laguiole Cheese fits dishes calling for medium to intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Havarti Cheese the same as Laguiole Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Laguiole Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Laguiole Cheese 4-10+ months.

Is Havarti Cheese similar to Laguiole Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

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

Does Havarti Cheese taste like Laguiole Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Laguiole Cheese is medium to intense. Aromas also diverge. Havarti Cheese leans buttery, and Laguiole Cheese is closer to milky and fresh grass, dried meat.

What is Havarti Cheese made of?

Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.

What is Laguiole Cheese made of?

Laguiole Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-10+ months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Laguiole Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple.