Comté Cheese vs Livarot Cheese

Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth 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 Livarot Cheese?

Livarot is a soft, pungent washed-rind cheese from Normandy, made with Normande cow's milk and protected by an AOC since 1975. Rings of dried reedmace circle its orange rind, which is why it also goes by the name colonel.

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

• Milk treatment: Comté Cheese (Raw), Livarot Cheese (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw)
• Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Livarot Cheese (Chewy, Melts in the mouth)
• Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Livarot Cheese (Sticky, Orangey)
• Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Livarot Cheese (21 days)
• Taste: Comté Cheese (Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted), Livarot Cheese (Pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Livarot Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Livarot Cheese brings pungent 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 Livarot Cheese leans toward onion, hay, smoke, with a pungent animalian aroma. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Livarot Cheese at 21 days.

Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

In most recipes, Comté Cheese and Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted while Livarot Cheese brings pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Comté Cheese or Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth profile, Livarot Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted notes, while Livarot Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comté Cheese the same as Livarot Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Livarot Cheese 21 days.

Is Comté Cheese similar to Livarot Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

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

Does Comté Cheese taste like Livarot Cheese?

Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Livarot Cheese is pungent.

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 Livarot Cheese made of?

Livarot Cheese is made from cow milk (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Comté Cheese or Livarot Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth.