Havarti Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft 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 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 Havarti Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. 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 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. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Mont d'Or 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Havarti Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Havarti Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Havarti Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 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, Havarti Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

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