Mont d'Or Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese
Washed Rind Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.
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 Washed Rind Cheese?
Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.
What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?
- Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
- Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
- Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or Cheese | Washed Rind Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Jura Mountains, Doubs | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | — |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft | Soft to hard |
| Rind | Washed rind | Washed, firm |
| Aging | 21 to 60 days | — |
| Taste | Resinous, mild to pungent | Pungent, distinctive |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind 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 soft to hard. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or Washed Rind 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 soft to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?
Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive.
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 Washed Rind Cheese made of?
Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.
Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.