Gruyère Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Gruyère Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Gruyère Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?"
• "Is Gruyère Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese the same?"
• "How does Gruyère Cheese compare to L'Etivaz Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Gruyère Cheese compare to L'Etivaz Cheese?"
• "Is Gruyère Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese better?"

Gruyère Cheese Overview

Gruyère is a famous Swiss hard cheese, known for its rich, creamy, slightly nutty flavor. It is typically aged for six months or more and has a dense, slightly grainy texture. Gruyère is a staple in fondue and is also used in French onion soup, croque-monsieur, and various baked dishes.

L'Etivaz Cheese Overview

L'Etivaz is a hard Alpine cheese from the Vaud region of Switzerland, similar to Gruyère but made in a more artisanal fashion. It is produced only from May to October, using milk from cows grazing on mountain pastures. The cheese has a complex flavor, with fruity, nutty notes and a hint of smokiness, developed during the traditional wood-fired production process.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Gruyère Cheese comes from Switzerland. L'Etivaz Cheese originated from Switzerland.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Gruyère Cheese has a AOP (2007), PGI (2007), GI (2011). L'Etivaz Cheese has a GI (2011).

Milk Type and Treatment

Gruyère Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw. L'Etivaz Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Gruyère Cheese has a fat content of around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content. and a moisture content of approximately 35-37%, characteristic of its dense texture.. Gruyère's texture can be described as "dense, moister". L'Etivaz's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

Gruyère Cheese has a nutty, complex taste. Gruyère's aroma can be described as "earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy". L'Etivaz's aroma can be described as "smokey".

Appearance and Aging

Gruyère Cheese's appearance is colored varies , is available in cylindrical and is aged 5 months to 24+ . L'Etivaz Cheese has a color of pale yellow .

Rind and Rennet Type

Gruyère Cheese's rind is described as natural, orangy and uses animal rennet.

Ranking

Gruyère is ranked #25 out of 996 types based on community views. L'Etivaz is ranked #80 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Gruyère and L'Etivaz pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a dense, moister cheese, go for Gruyère. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, L'Etivaz might be the better pick.

Compare Gruyère Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare L'Etivaz Cheese to Other Cheeses