Limburger Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Limburger Cheese is a firm to spreadable cow-milk cheese from Belgium, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Limburger Cheese?

Limburger is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from the Herve area of the old Duchy of Limburg, now part of Belgium. It is known for the powerful smell it develops after about three months of ripening.

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 Limburger Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Limburger Cheese (Belgium), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Texture: Limburger Cheese (Firm to spreadable), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Limburger Cheese (Sticky, orange-brown), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Limburger Cheese (3 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Limburger Cheese (Meaty, farmyard), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Limburger Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Limburger Cheese reads as meaty, farmyard, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Limburger Cheese shows created in the 1800s by belgian trappist monks and renowned for its pungent odor, limburger cheese evolves from firm and crumbly to exceptionally creamy and stinky over three months. the odor, akin to smelly feet, is due to brevibacterium linens used in the brine wash. now predominantly produced in germany, with a significant historical presence in the american midwest, particularly wisconsin. traditionally served with dark bread, brown mustard, onion slices, and beer. despite its notoriety for its distinctive smell, limburger remains a famous washed-rind cheese, enjoyed in sandwiches or with boiled potatoes and butter., 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. Limburger Cheese at 3 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Limburger Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Limburger 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 spreadable bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Limburger Cheese reads as meaty, farmyard while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Limburger 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 spreadable cheese, go with Limburger Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Limburger Cheese suits recipes that want meaty, farmyard notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Limburger Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Limburger Cheese originates in Belgium, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Limburger Cheese is typically aged 3 months, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Limburger Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Limburger Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Limburger Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Limburger Cheese reads as meaty, farmyard, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Limburger Cheese made of?

Limburger Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Belgium.

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, Limburger Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Limburger Cheese is firm to spreadable, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.