Mont d'Or Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela
Mont d'Or Cheese
Queijo Serra da Estrela
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) and made from sheep milk, originating in Portugal.
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 Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?
- Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
- Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
- Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho))
- Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho")
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Queijo Serra da Estrela | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Beira Uplands, Including Municipalities Such As Carregal Do Sal, Celorico Da Beira, And Others. |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho) |
| Rind | Washed rind | Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho) |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho" |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho) |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Queijo Serra da Estrela leans toward slightly acidic, strong to slightly strong, slightly spicy/salty. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho). Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
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 closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) profile, Queijo Serra da Estrela is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Queijo Serra da Estrela fits dishes calling for smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, Queijo Serra da Estrela minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).
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 Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?
Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).