Mont d'Or Cheese vs Queso de Murcia

Q: Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Queso de Murcia?

No. Mont d'Or Cheese and Queso de Murcia are distinct cheeses from France and Spain respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Queso de Murcia?

In most recipes you can swap Mont d'Or Cheese for Queso de Murcia, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Queso de Murcia?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Queso de Murcia is soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) and made from goat milk, originating in Spain.

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 Is Queso de Murcia?

Queso de Murcia is a fatty goat's milk cheese from south-east Spain with Protected Designation of Origin status, made only from Murcian goats in registered herds. It is sold fresh and very white, or cured for at least sixty days until firm.

What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Queso de Murcia?

Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), Queso de Murcia (Spain)
Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Queso de Murcia (Goat’s milk)
Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Queso de Murcia (Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured))
Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Queso de Murcia (None (fresh) / Hard, smooth (cured))
Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), Queso de Murcia (Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured))
Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Queso de Murcia (Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured))

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Mont d'Or Cheese	Queso de Murcia
Country of Origin	France	Spain
Specific Origin	Jura Mountains, Doubs	Murcia Region
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat’s milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	—
Texture	Soft	Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured)
Rind	Washed rind	None (fresh) / Hard, smooth (cured)
Aging	21 to 60 days	Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured)
Taste	Resinous, mild to pungent	Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured)

Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Queso de Murcia?

Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Queso de Murcia brings mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Queso de Murcia leans toward fresh milk, cream (fresh) / butter, hay, dried fruit, caramel (cured). Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than Queso de Murcia at not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured).

Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Queso de Murcia?

Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Queso de Murcia in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured). Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Queso de Murcia brings mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) notes.

Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Queso de Murcia?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Mont d'Or Cheese. For a soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) profile, Queso de Murcia is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Queso de Murcia fits dishes calling for mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured).

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Queso de Murcia?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while Queso de Murcia comes from Spain. Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk; Queso de Murcia uses goat. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, Queso de Murcia not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured).

Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Queso de Murcia?

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

Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Queso de Murcia?

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

Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Queso de Murcia?

Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Queso de Murcia is mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured).

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.

What is Queso de Murcia made of?

Queso de Murcia is made from goat milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured). It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Queso de Murcia?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Queso de Murcia is soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured).