Mont d'Or Cheese vs Swaledale Ewes' Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese
Swaledale Ewes' Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly and made from sheep 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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
Swaledale Ewes Cheese is a full-fat hard cheese made from ewe’s milk in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. It has a cylindrical shape, a firm and crumbly texture, and a natural white color. The cheese is either coated in a greenish-blue-grey mold or sealed with black wax. Made entirely by hand, the traditional production process includes pressing, brining for 24 hours, and a maturation period of 3 to 4 weeks. The cheese has been produced in the region for centuries using a closely guarded recipe passed down through generations. The distinct flavor is influenced by the local pastures, which provide a unique mix of herbs and grasses for the sheep.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
- Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Sheep)
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Hard, firm, crumbly)
- Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Greenish-blue-grey mold or black wax coating)
- Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Swaledale Ewes' Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | Swaledale, North Yorkshire |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft | Hard, firm, crumbly |
| Rind | Washed rind | Greenish-blue-grey mold or black wax coating |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than Swaledale Ewes' Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Ewes' 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, firm, crumbly.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' 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, firm, crumbly profile, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk; Swaledale Ewes' Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese made of?
Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly.