Havarti Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Havarti Cheese
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Vacherin Mont d'Or is a soft, seasonal cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of Switzerland and France. It is bound in a strip of spruce bark, sold in a round spruce box, and often warmed in that box and eaten like fondue.
What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
- Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
- Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Havarti Cheese | Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Denmark | Jura Region, Switzerland And France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Thermized (Swiss), raw (French) |
| Texture | Smooth | Soft |
| Rind | Rindless | Washed rind |
| Aging | About 3 months | At least 2 weeks |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.
Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Vacherin 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.
Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Vacherin 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, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havarti Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.
Is Havarti Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Havarti Cheese taste like Vacherin Mont-d'Or 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 Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese made of?
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (thermized (swiss), raw (french)). It's typically aged at least 2 weeks. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.