Havarti Cheese vs Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is firm to smooth and made from cow milk.
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 Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Alpkäse is an Austrian hard cheese made from raw milk on the alps and Vorsäße of Vorarlberg. It holds a protected designation of origin, weighs up to 40 kilograms, and tastes mild young and piquant with age.
What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation)
- Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind)
- Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Mild, becomes sharp with increasing age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Havarti Cheese | Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark | — |
| Specific Origin | Denmark | Province Of Vorarlberg |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation |
| Texture | Smooth | Firm to smooth |
| Rind | Rindless | Dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind |
| Aging | About 3 months | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | Mild, becomes sharp with increasing age |
Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese brings mild, becomes sharp with increasing age character. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 firm to smooth. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese brings mild, becomes sharp with increasing age notes.
Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 firm to smooth profile, Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery notes, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, becomes sharp with increasing age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havarti Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Havarti Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Havarti Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is mild, becomes sharp with increasing age.
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 Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese made of?
Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation), using not genetically engineered rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.
Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.