Mont d'Or Cheese vs San Simón da Costa Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while San Simón da Costa Cheese is semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes 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 San Simón da Costa Cheese?
San Simón da Costa is a smoked cow's milk cheese from the Terra Chá region of Galicia, Spain. It is pressed into a pear shape, smoked over birch wood, and has held Protected Designation of Origin status since 2008.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and San Simón da Costa Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw), San Simón da Costa Cheese (raw or pasteurized)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), San Simón da Costa Cheese (semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes)
- Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), San Simón da Costa Cheese (smooth, hard, waxy, brown, 1 to 3 mm thick)
- Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), San Simón da Costa Cheese (at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), San Simón da Costa Cheese (mild, slightly salty, smoky)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | San Simón da Costa Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Terra Chá, Galicia, Spain |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw or pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes |
| Rind | Washed rind | Smooth, hard, waxy, brown, 1 to 3 mm thick |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | At least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Mild, slightly salty, smoky |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like San Simón da Costa Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while San Simón da Costa Cheese brings mild, slightly salty, smoky character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while San Simón da Costa Cheese leans toward mild with a hint of spiciness, slightly salty, birch smoke. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than San Simón da Costa Cheese at at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for San Simón da Costa Cheese?
In most recipes, Mont d'Or Cheese and San Simón da Costa 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 semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while San Simón da Costa Cheese brings mild, slightly salty, smoky notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or San Simón da Costa 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 semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes profile, San Simón da Costa Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while San Simón da Costa Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, slightly salty, smoky.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as San Simón da Costa Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, San Simón da Costa Cheese at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to San Simón da Costa Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for San Simón da Costa Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like San Simón da Costa Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while San Simón da Costa Cheese is mild, slightly salty, smoky.
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 San Simón da Costa Cheese made of?
San Simón da Costa Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or San Simón da Costa Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while San Simón da Costa Cheese is semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes.