Mont d'Or Cheese vs Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals and made from cow milk.
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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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) cheese made in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is crafted using local milk and a unique dry stir technique developed in 1984, which gives it a firm, dense texture. The cheese matures for 6 to 18 months, creating medium, mature, and extra mature varieties with savory, nutty flavors. The production process includes hand-salting the curd for even distribution and controlled maturation for consistent quality. Orkney Cheddar has won multiple awards and is known for its excellent melting properties. It is available in both white and colored forms, with the latter containing a vegetable-based pigment.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals)
- Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (None)
- Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (6 to 18 months)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Orkney Islands, North Of Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals |
| Rind | Washed rind | None |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | 6 to 18 months |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese brings savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese leans toward moderate sharp acid notes, rounded with savory and nutty undertones. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese at 6 to 18 months.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
In most recipes, Mont d'Or Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese brings savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals profile, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese 6 to 18 months.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging.
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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese made of?
Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 18 months.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals.