Jarlsberg Cheese vs Montasio Cheese

Q: Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?

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

Q: Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Montasio 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

Montasio Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Montasio Cheese?

Montasio is a mountain cheese from northeastern Italy, with a PDO designation. It has a firm texture and can vary in flavor from mild and milky in younger cheeses to richer and more robust in aged varieties. Montasio is often enjoyed grated over pasta and risotto or sliced in sandwiches.

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

Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Montasio Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized), Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard)
Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Montasio Cheese (Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months)
Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Jarlsberg Cheese	Montasio Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	Italy
Specific Origin	No Specific Location	Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Semihard	Elastic to crumbly and hard
Rind	Plastic-covered	—
Aging	Three months to twelve months	Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months
Taste	Mild, sweet, nutty	Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice

Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice character. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., while Montasio Cheese leans toward evolves from mild, creamy, and fruity to fuller, more savory and piquant, with hints of spice as it ages. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Montasio Cheese at fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Montasio 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 elastic to crumbly and hard. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Montasio 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 elastic to crumbly and hard profile, Montasio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Montasio Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Montasio Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Montasio Cheese fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

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

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Montasio Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Montasio Cheese is mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

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 Montasio Cheese made of?

Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard.