Mâconnais Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Mâconnais Cheese is a soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth goat-milk cheese from France, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Mâconnais Cheese?

Mâconnais is a small goat's milk cheese from Burgundy, France, sometimes made with a mix of goat's and cow's milk. It is shaped like a little truncated cone and has held AOC certification since 2005.

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 Mâconnais Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Milk type: Mâconnais Cheese (Goat's milk), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Mâconnais Cheese (Soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Mâconnais Cheese (Covered mainly with geotrichum; may develop blue penicillium marks), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Mâconnais Cheese (Minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Mâconnais Cheese (salty, tangy), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Mâconnais Cheese reads as salty, tangy, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. Aging plays into this as well. Mâconnais Cheese at minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

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

Mâconnais Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Mâconnais Cheese reads as salty, tangy while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Mâconnais 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 soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth cheese, go with Mâconnais Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mâconnais Cheese suits recipes that want salty, tangy notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Mâconnais Cheese is made from goat milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Mâconnais Cheese is typically aged minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Mâconnais Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

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

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Mâconnais Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mâconnais Cheese reads as salty, tangy, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Mâconnais Cheese made of?

Mâconnais Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using small amount added rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g. It originates in France.

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, Mâconnais Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mâconnais Cheese is soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.