Mont d'Or Cheese vs Pule Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Pule Cheese is artisan, originating in Serbia.
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 Pule Cheese?
Pule, or magareći sir, is a Serbian cheese made from 60% Balkan donkey milk and 40% goat's milk at the Zasavica Nature Reserve. It is reported to be the world's most expensive cheese at US$1300 per kilogram.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Pule Cheese?
- Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), Pule Cheese (Serbia)
- Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Pule Cheese (donkey's milk)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Pule Cheese (artisan)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Pule Cheese (nutty and earthy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Pule Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Serbia |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Zasavica |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Donkey's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft | Artisan |
| Rind | Washed rind | — |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | — |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Nutty and earthy |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Pule Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Pule Cheese brings nutty and earthy character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Pule Cheese leans toward nutty and earthy, reputedly similar to manchego.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Pule Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Pule 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 artisan. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Pule Cheese brings nutty and earthy notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Pule 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 artisan profile, Pule Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Pule Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty and earthy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Pule Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while Pule Cheese comes from Serbia.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Pule Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Pule Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Pule Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Pule Cheese is nutty and earthy.
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 Pule Cheese made of?
Pule Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Serbia.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Pule Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Pule Cheese is artisan.