Herve Cheese vs Swaledale Cheese
Herve Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from Belgium, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in England.
What Is Herve Cheese?
Herve is a Belgian washed rind cheese made from raw cow's milk in the countryside near Liège, where it has been produced since the 15th century. It is known for the powerful smell that Brevibacterium linens gives it after about three months of ripening.
What Is Swaledale Cheese?
Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.
What's the Difference Between Herve Cheese and Swaledale Cheese?
- Origin: Herve Cheese (Belgium), Swaledale Cheese (England)
- Milk type: Herve Cheese (cow's milk), Swaledale Cheese (cow, sheep, goat)
- Texture: Herve Cheese (soft, artisan), Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm)
- Rind: Herve Cheese (washed), Swaledale Cheese (grey-blue mould or natural wax)
- Aging: Herve Cheese (about 3 months), Swaledale Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Herve Cheese | Swaledale Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium | England |
| Specific Origin | Herve, Province Of Liège, Belgium | Swaledale, North Yorkshire |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, sheep, goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Moist, medium firm |
| Rind | Washed | Grey-blue mould or natural wax |
| Aging | About 3 months | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Taste | Smooth, spicy | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Herve Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Herve Cheese shows sweet when young, spicy with age, while Swaledale Cheese leans toward fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk. Aging plays into this as well. Herve Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Swaledale Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.
Can You Substitute Herve Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
Herve Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, medium firm.
Which Is Better, Herve Cheese or Swaledale Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Herve Cheese. For a moist, medium firm profile, Swaledale Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herve Cheese the same as Swaledale Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Herve Cheese originates in Belgium, while Swaledale Cheese comes from England. Herve Cheese is made from cow milk; Swaledale Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Herve Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Swaledale Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.
Is Herve Cheese similar to Swaledale Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Herve Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Herve Cheese taste like Swaledale Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Herve Cheese made of?
Herve Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Belgium.
What is Swaledale Cheese made of?
Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Herve Cheese or Swaledale Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Herve Cheese is soft, artisan, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm.