Jarlsberg Cheese vs Rollot Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Rollot Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?
Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.
What Is Rollot Cheese?
Rollot is a soft cow's milk cheese from Picardy in northern France, named for a village in the Somme. Washing in salt water gives it an orange rind, and it comes as a small round or a heart, tasting lightly salty and tangy before turning fruity and strong with age.
What's the Difference Between Jarlsberg Cheese and Rollot Cheese?
- Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Rollot Cheese (France)
- Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Rollot Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Rollot Cheese (washed)
- Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Rollot Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
- Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Rollot Cheese (salty, spicy, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Jarlsberg Cheese | Rollot Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Norway | France |
| Specific Origin | Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway | Rollot |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Semihard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Plastic-covered | Washed |
| Aging | Three months to twelve months | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Mild, sweet, nutty | Salty, spicy, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Rollot Cheese?
Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Rollot Cheese brings salty, spicy, strong character. On the nose, Jarlsberg Cheese offers mild, buttery, contrasted with Rollot Cheese's fruity, yeasty. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., while Rollot Cheese leans toward lightly salted and tangy, with fruity and spicy notes after longer ripening. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Rollot Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Rollot Cheese?
In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Rollot 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 semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Rollot Cheese brings salty, spicy, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Rollot 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 semi-soft profile, Rollot Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Rollot Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, spicy, strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Rollot Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Rollot Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Rollot Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Rollot Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Rollot Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Rollot Cheese?
Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Rollot Cheese is salty, spicy, strong. Aromas also diverge. Jarlsberg Cheese leans mild, buttery, and Rollot Cheese is closer to fruity, yeasty.
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 Rollot Cheese made of?
Rollot Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Rollot Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Rollot Cheese is semi-soft.