Jarlsberg Cheese vs Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese

Q: Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

No. Jarlsberg Cheese and Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Yorkshire Wensleydale 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

Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is firm, crumbly and made from cow milk.

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 Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Yorkshire Wensleydale is a cow's milk cheese made in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, and only cheese made there may use the name. It is known for a supple, crumbly body, a faint honey aroma, and its fame as Wallace's favourite cheese.

What's the Difference Between Jarlsberg Cheese and Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Milk treatment: Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Raw or pasteurized)
Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Firm, Crumbly)
Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Cloth-bound or none)
Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (2 weeks to 12 months)
Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Jarlsberg Cheese	Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	—
Specific Origin	Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway	Wensleydale
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw or pasteurized
Texture	Semihard	Firm, Crumbly
Rind	Plastic-covered	Cloth-bound or none
Aging	Three months to twelve months	2 weeks to 12 months
Taste	Mild, sweet, nutty	Slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged

Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese brings slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged character. On the nose, Jarlsberg Cheese offers mild, buttery, contrasted with Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese's lactic, slightly acidic; develops stronger notes when aged. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese leans toward sweet, creamy, lactic, with a distinctive pleasant aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese at 2 weeks to 12 months.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Yorkshire Wensleydale 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, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese brings slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Yorkshire Wensleydale 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, crumbly profile, Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese 2 weeks to 12 months.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

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

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged. Aromas also diverge. Jarlsberg Cheese leans mild, buttery, and Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is closer to lactic, slightly acidic; develops stronger notes when aged.

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 Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese made of?

Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 weeks to 12 months.

Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is firm, crumbly.