Mont d'Or Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Urdă Cheese?

• Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw), Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
• Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
• Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. More specifically, Mont d'Or Cheese shows known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark, while Urdă Cheese leans toward creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Urdă 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 creamy, delicate. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Urdă 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 creamy, delicate profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Urdă Cheese is high quality.

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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate.