Mont d'Or Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft | Hard |
| Rind | Washed rind | Natural |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Roumy 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Roumy 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 profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong.
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 Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Roumy Cheese is hard.