Jarlsberg Cheese vs Kanterkaas Cheese

Q: Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Kanterkaas Cheese?

No. Jarlsberg Cheese and Kanterkaas Cheese are distinct cheeses from Norway and Netherlands respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Kanterkaas Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Jarlsberg Cheese for Kanterkaas Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Kanterkaas Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Kanterkaas Cheese is firm to hard and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a famous Norwegian cheese, known for its distinctive sweet and nutty taste. It is a semi-soft cheese with large, round holes. Jarlsberg is versatile and can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is often used in sandwiches, as a burger topping, or simply enjoyed on its own.

What Is Kanterkaas Cheese?

Kanterkaas is a traditional hard cheese from Friesland and the Westerkwartier in the Netherlands. It has a flat cylindrical shape with a sharp edge where the side meets the base and a rounded edge on top. The cheese comes in two fat content categories: 20+ (20-25% fat in dry matter) and 40+ (40-44% fat in dry matter). It has a firm to hard texture, making it suitable for grating over time. The flavor is pleasant and ranges from sharp to strong, depending on its age. Its color varies from ivory to yellow or greenish-yellow, with a close texture and limited eye formation. The rind is smooth, impervious, and can be natural or coated in colorless or yellow material. It is made using pasteurized milk, calf or cattle rennet, and ripened for at least four weeks.

What's the Difference Between Jarlsberg Cheese and Kanterkaas Cheese?

Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Kanterkaas Cheese (Netherlands)
Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Kanterkaas Cheese (Firm to hard)
Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Kanterkaas Cheese (Natural or coated (colorless/yellow))
Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Kanterkaas Cheese (Minimum 4 weeks)
Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Kanterkaas Cheese (Pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age))

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Jarlsberg Cheese	Kanterkaas Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	Netherlands
Specific Origin	No Specific Location	Friesland And Westerkwartier
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Semihard	Firm to hard
Rind	Plastic-covered	Natural or coated (colorless/yellow)
Aging	Three months to twelve months	Minimum 4 weeks
Taste	Mild, sweet, nutty	Pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age)

Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Kanterkaas Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Kanterkaas Cheese brings pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) character. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Kanterkaas Cheese at minimum 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Kanterkaas Cheese?

In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Kanterkaas Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm to hard. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Kanterkaas Cheese brings pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Kanterkaas Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semihard cheese, go with Jarlsberg Cheese. For a firm to hard profile, Kanterkaas Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Kanterkaas Cheese fits dishes calling for pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age).

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Kanterkaas Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Kanterkaas Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Kanterkaas Cheese minimum 4 weeks.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Kanterkaas Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Kanterkaas Cheese?

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

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Kanterkaas Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Kanterkaas Cheese is pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age).

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

What is Kanterkaas Cheese made of?

Kanterkaas Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 4 weeks. It originates in Netherlands.

Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Kanterkaas Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Kanterkaas Cheese is firm to hard.