Mont d'Or Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Washed rind | — |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | — |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
In most recipes, Mont d'Or Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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 hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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 hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.