Munster Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Munster Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Munster Cheese is a semisoft cow-milk cheese from France, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
What Is Munster Cheese?
Munster, also called Munster-géromé, is a soft cheese made from raw cow's milk in the Vosges of eastern France. Brine washing during aging leaves it with a moist orange rind, a penetrating smell and a very strong taste.
What Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Munster Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Milk type: Munster Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Munster Cheese (unpasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Munster Cheese (Semisoft), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Munster Cheese (Washed, saltwater solution), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Munster Cheese (4-6 weeks to 2-3 months), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Munster Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Alsace, Lorraine, Franche-Comté | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semisoft | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Washed, saltwater solution | Gray-blue |
| Aging | 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Strong, gamey | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Munster Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Munster Cheese at 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Munster Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Munster Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semisoft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Munster Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semisoft cheese, go with Munster Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Munster Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Munster Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Munster Cheese is typically aged 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Munster Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Munster Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Munster Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Munster Cheese made of?
Munster Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using traditional rennet. It's typically aged 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months. It originates in France.
What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Munster Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Munster Cheese is semisoft, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.