L'Etivaz Cheese vs Pimento Cheese
L'Etivaz Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.
What Is L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
What's the Difference Between L'Etivaz Cheese and Pimento Cheese?
- Origin: L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland), Pimento Cheese (United States)
- Milk type: L'Etivaz Cheese (cow's milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
- Texture: L'Etivaz Cheese (hard), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
- Taste: L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| L'Etivaz Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | United States |
| Specific Origin | Vaud, Switzerland | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cheddar, farmers’ style |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Hard | Spreadable |
| Aging | 5 to 13 months | — |
| Taste | Fruity, slightly nutty | Sweet, rounded chili |
Taste Comparison: Does L'Etivaz Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character. On the nose, L'Etivaz Cheese offers smokey, contrasted with Pimento Cheese's sweet, rounded chili. More specifically, L'Etivaz Cheese shows creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil, while Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.
Can You Substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese can stand in for Pimento Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.
Which Is Better, L'Etivaz Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with L'Etivaz Cheese. For a spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, slightly nutty notes, while Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L'Etivaz Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. L'Etivaz Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.
Is L'Etivaz Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does L'Etivaz Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili. Aromas also diverge. L'Etivaz Cheese leans smokey, and Pimento Cheese is closer to sweet, rounded chili.
What is L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
What is Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
Which should I choose, L'Etivaz Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. L'Etivaz Cheese is hard, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.