Comté Cheese vs Laguiole Cheese

Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Comté Cheese?

Comté is a hard cheese from eastern France, made daily from raw cow's milk in village dairies called fruitières. It holds PDO status, has the largest production of any French PDO cheese, and tastes mild, nutty, salty and slightly sweet.

What Is Laguiole Cheese?

Laguiole is a pressed, uncooked cheese from the Aubrac plateau in southern France, made only from raw Simmental or Aubrac cow's milk. Protected by AOC since 1961, it is the main cheese in aligot, the regional dish of mashed potatoes with cream and butter.

What's the Difference Between Comté Cheese and Laguiole Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Comté Cheese (Raw), Laguiole Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Laguiole Cheese (Firm and supple)
• Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Laguiole Cheese (Dry whitish to light gray, aging to amber-brown to granite gray)
• Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Laguiole Cheese (4-10+ months)
• Taste: Comté Cheese (Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted), Laguiole Cheese (Medium to intense)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Laguiole Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense character. More specifically, Comté Cheese shows nutty, creamy, sweet through more meaty and roasted flavors, smooth texture, range of ages from 4 months to 3 years, while Laguiole Cheese leans toward dry whitish to light gray rind transitioning to amber-brown to granite gray as aged. the body is ivory to straw yellow. flavor ranges from milky and fresh grass to nuts, with a lactic flavor varying by age. consumed as a table cheese, in salads, or for cooking. noted for use in aligot de l’aubrac.. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Laguiole Cheese at 4-10+ months.

Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

In most recipes, Comté Cheese and Laguiole Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth; semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm and supple. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense notes.

Which Is Better, Comté Cheese or Laguiole Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go with Comté Cheese. For a firm and supple profile, Laguiole Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted notes, while Laguiole Cheese fits dishes calling for medium to intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comté Cheese the same as Laguiole Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Laguiole Cheese 4-10+ months.

Is Comté Cheese similar to Laguiole Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

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

Does Comté Cheese taste like Laguiole Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Laguiole Cheese is medium to intense.

What is Comté Cheese made of?

Comté Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to 3 years. It originates in France.

What is Laguiole Cheese made of?

Laguiole Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-10+ months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Comté Cheese or Laguiole Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple.