Mont d'Or Cheese vs Pimento Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.
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 Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Pimento Cheese?
- Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), Pimento Cheese (United States)
- Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | United States |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cheddar, farmers’ style |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft | Spreadable |
| Rind | Washed rind | — |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | — |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Sweet, rounded chili |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Pimento Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Pimento 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 spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili.
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 Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.