Metsovone Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese
Metsovone Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese
Metsovone Cheese is a semihard to hard cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Metsovone Cheese?
Metsovone is a smoked, semi-hard cheese from Metsovo in the Pindus mountains of Greece. Made from cow's milk or a mix of cow and sheep or goat milk, it is one of the few Greek cheeses that is smoked, giving it a distinctive flavor that is nutty and buttery with smokey undertones.
What Is Mont d'Or Cheese?
Mont d'Or, or Vacherin Mont d'Or, is a seasonal, soft cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. Available from September to May, it has a delicate, creamy texture and a rich, earthy flavor. Mont d'Or is traditionally eaten warmed in the box it comes in, making the interior deliciously runny.
What's the Difference Between Metsovone Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Metsovone Cheese (Greece), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Metsovone Cheese (Cow's milk, Ewe's or Goat's milk), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Metsovone Cheese (Smoked), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Metsovone Cheese (Semihard to hard), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Metsovone Cheese (Waxed), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
- Aging: Metsovone Cheese (3 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
- Taste: Metsovone Cheese (Slightly salty and piquant), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metsovone Cheese | Mont d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | France |
| Specific Origin | Metsovo, Epirus | Jura Mountains, Doubs |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk, Ewe's or Goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Smoked | Raw |
| Texture | Semihard to hard | Soft |
| Rind | Waxed | Washed rind |
| Aging | 3 months | 21 to 60 days |
| Taste | Slightly salty and piquant | Resinous, mild to pungent |
Taste Comparison: Does Metsovone Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Metsovone Cheese reads as slightly salty and piquant, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Metsovone Cheese shows smoked cheese resembling italian provolone with a special smoked perfume, 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. Metsovone Cheese at 3 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.
Can You Substitute Metsovone Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
Metsovone Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semihard to hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Metsovone Cheese reads as slightly salty and piquant while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.
Which Is Better, Metsovone 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 semihard to hard cheese, go with Metsovone Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Metsovone Cheese suits recipes that want slightly salty and piquant notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metsovone Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Metsovone Cheese originates in Greece, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Metsovone Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Metsovone Cheese is typically aged 3 months, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.
Is Metsovone Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Metsovone Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Metsovone Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Metsovone Cheese reads as slightly salty and piquant, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.
What is Metsovone Cheese made of?
Metsovone Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (smoked). It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Greece.
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, Metsovone Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Metsovone Cheese is semihard to hard, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.