Havarti Cheese vs Olivet au Foin Cheese

Share:

Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Olivet au Foin Cheese is soft, artisan, soft-ripened and made from cow milk, originating in France.

Find Havarti Cheese

Find Olivet au Foin Cheese

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 Olivet au Foin Cheese?

Olivet au Foin is a soft, artisan cheese from the Loire region in France, made from cow's milk which can be either pasteurized or unpasteurized. It has a fat content of 45% and features a soft-ripened texture. The cheese presents a mild, salty flavor with a hint of herbs, making it an interesting choice for those who enjoy subtle tastes. Its pale yellow interior is complemented by a mold-ripened rind. The aroma is a mix of floral, fresh, and herbal notes, offering an appealing sensory experience. Olivet au Foin is often enjoyed as part of a cheese board or served with fresh bread.

What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Olivet au Foin Cheese?

  • Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Olivet au Foin Cheese (France)
  • Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Olivet au Foin Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
  • Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Olivet au Foin Cheese (soft, artisan, soft-ripened)
  • Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Olivet au Foin Cheese (mold ripened)
  • Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Olivet au Foin Cheese (herbaceous, mild, salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Havarti Cheese Olivet au Foin Cheese
Country of Origin Denmark France
Specific Origin Denmark Loire
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Pasteurized Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Texture Smooth Soft, artisan, soft-ripened
Rind Rindless Mold ripened
Aging About 3 months —
Taste Mild, buttery Herbaceous, mild, salty

Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Olivet au Foin Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Olivet au Foin Cheese brings herbaceous, mild, salty character. On the nose, Havarti Cheese offers buttery, contrasted with Olivet au Foin Cheese's floral, fresh, herbal.

Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Olivet au Foin Cheese?

In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Olivet au Foin 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, artisan, soft-ripened. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Olivet au Foin Cheese brings herbaceous, mild, salty notes.

Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Olivet au Foin 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, artisan, soft-ripened profile, Olivet au Foin Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery notes, while Olivet au Foin Cheese fits dishes calling for herbaceous, mild, salty.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Havarti Cheese the same as Olivet au Foin Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Olivet au Foin Cheese comes from France.

Is Havarti Cheese similar to Olivet au Foin Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Olivet au Foin Cheese?

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

Does Havarti Cheese taste like Olivet au Foin Cheese?

Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Olivet au Foin Cheese is herbaceous, mild, salty. Aromas also diverge. Havarti Cheese leans buttery, and Olivet au Foin Cheese is closer to floral, fresh, herbal.

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 Olivet au Foin Cheese made of?

Olivet au Foin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Olivet au Foin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Olivet au Foin Cheese is soft, artisan, soft-ripened.