Kanterkaas Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese
Kanterkaas Cheese is a firm to hard cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Kanterkaas Cheese?
Kanterkaas is a Dutch cow's milk cheese from Friesland and the Westerkwartier, protected by a PDO since 2000. It comes plain, with cumin as Kanterkomijnekaas, or with cumin and cloves as Kanternagelkaas, and tastes sharp to strong.
What Is Mont d'Or Cheese?
Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.
What's the Difference Between Kanterkaas Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Kanterkaas Cheese (Netherlands), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Kanterkaas Cheese (Pasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Kanterkaas Cheese (Firm to hard), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Kanterkaas Cheese (Natural or coated (colorless/yellow)), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
- Aging: Kanterkaas Cheese (Minimum 4 weeks), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
- Taste: Kanterkaas Cheese (Pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age)), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Kanterkaas Cheese | Mont d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | France |
| Specific Origin | Friesland And Westerkwartier | Jura Mountains, Doubs |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Firm to hard | Soft |
| Rind | Natural or coated (colorless/yellow) | Washed rind |
| Aging | Minimum 4 weeks | 21 to 60 days |
| Taste | Pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) | Resinous, mild to pungent |
Taste Comparison: Does Kanterkaas Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Kanterkaas Cheese reads as pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age), while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Kanterkaas Cheese shows plain sharp to strong; kanterkomijnekaas fragrant and mild to strong; kanternagelkaas fragrant and sharp to strong, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Kanterkaas Cheese at minimum 4 weeks develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.
Can You Substitute Kanterkaas Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Kanterkaas Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm to hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Kanterkaas Cheese reads as pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.
Which Is Better, Kanterkaas Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm to hard cheese, go with Kanterkaas Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Kanterkaas Cheese suits recipes that want pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kanterkaas Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Kanterkaas Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Kanterkaas Cheese is typically aged minimum 4 weeks, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.
Is Kanterkaas Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Kanterkaas Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Kanterkaas Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Kanterkaas Cheese reads as pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age), while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.
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.
What is Mont d'Or Cheese made of?
Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Kanterkaas Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Kanterkaas Cheese is firm to hard, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.