Havarti Cheese vs Livarot Cheese

Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth 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 Livarot Cheese?

Livarot is a soft, pungent washed-rind cheese from Normandy, made with Normande cow's milk and protected by an AOC since 1975. Rings of dried reedmace circle its orange rind, which is why it also goes by the name colonel.

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

• Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Livarot Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Livarot Cheese (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw)
• Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Livarot Cheese (Chewy, Melts in the mouth)
• Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Livarot Cheese (Sticky, Orangey)
• Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Livarot Cheese (21 days)
• Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Livarot Cheese (Pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Livarot Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Livarot Cheese brings pungent character. On the nose, Havarti Cheese offers buttery, contrasted with Livarot Cheese's pungent animalian. 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 Livarot Cheese leans toward onion, hay, smoke, with a pungent animalian aroma. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Livarot Cheese at 21 days.

Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Livarot Cheese brings pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth profile, Livarot Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery notes, while Livarot Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Havarti Cheese the same as Livarot Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Livarot Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Livarot Cheese 21 days.

Is Havarti Cheese similar to Livarot Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

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

Does Havarti Cheese taste like Livarot Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Livarot Cheese is pungent. Aromas also diverge. Havarti Cheese leans buttery, and Livarot Cheese is closer to pungent animalian.

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 Livarot Cheese made of?

Livarot Cheese is made from cow milk (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Livarot Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth.