Havarti Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Havarti Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Havarti Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Havarti Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark | France |
| Specific Origin | Denmark | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Smooth | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Rindless | Gray-blue |
| Aging | About 3 months | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Havarti Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havarti Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Havarti Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Havarti Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.