Jarlsberg Cheese vs Stelvio Cheese

Q: Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Stelvio Cheese?

No. Jarlsberg Cheese and Stelvio 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 Stelvio Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Stelvio 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

Stelvio Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Stelvio Cheese is compact, pliable, and springy 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 Stelvio Cheese?

Stelvio, also known as Stilfser, is a type of cheese that holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. It is produced in Italy, specifically in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The cheese is made from cow's milk, which is sourced from cows fed mainly on local fodder. Stelvio cheese is known for its cylindrical shape, although it can be produced in other shapes for pre-packaging purposes. The cheese has a fat content in dry matter of at least 50% and a moisture content not exceeding 44%. It has a compact, pliable, and springy texture with a pale yellow to straw yellow color. The rind of Stelvio cheese ranges from yellow to orange-brown, and it has an aromatic and marked flavor, sometimes pungent. The cheese is aged for a minimum of sixty days before being released for consumption.

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

Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Stelvio Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized), Stelvio Cheese (Lightly skimmed to regulate fat content)
Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Stelvio Cheese (Compact, pliable, and springy)
Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Stelvio Cheese (Yellow to orange-brown)
Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Stelvio Cheese (Minimum of sixty days)
Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Stelvio Cheese (Aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Jarlsberg Cheese	Stelvio Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	Italy
Specific Origin	No Specific Location	Autonomous Province Of Bolzano
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Lightly skimmed to regulate fat content
Texture	Semihard	Compact, pliable, and springy
Rind	Plastic-covered	Yellow to orange-brown
Aging	Three months to twelve months	Minimum of sixty days
Taste	Mild, sweet, nutty	Aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent

Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Stelvio Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Stelvio Cheese brings aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent character. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., while Stelvio Cheese leans toward typical of the mountain cheeses, small irregular eyeholes. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Stelvio Cheese at minimum of sixty days.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Stelvio Cheese?

In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Stelvio 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 compact, pliable, and springy. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Stelvio Cheese brings aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Stelvio 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 compact, pliable, and springy profile, Stelvio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Stelvio Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Stelvio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Stelvio Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Stelvio Cheese minimum of sixty days.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Stelvio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Stelvio Cheese?

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

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Stelvio Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Stelvio Cheese is aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent.

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 Stelvio Cheese made of?

Stelvio Cheese is made from cow milk (lightly skimmed to regulate fat content), using calf rennet or other rennet including plant origin, not genetically modified rennet. It's typically aged minimum of sixty days. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Stelvio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Stelvio Cheese is compact, pliable, and springy.