Niolo Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Niolo Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Niolo Cheese?
Niolo is a Corsican sheep's or goat's milk cheese made only in the Niolo region, the high valley of the Golo. It is a flat square tomme with a washed ivory rind and a sticky paste that runs from mild to sharp or strong after 3 to 4 months in a damp cellar.
What Is Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.
What's the Difference Between Niolo Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Milk type: Niolo Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
- Texture: Niolo Cheese (soft), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
- Rind: Niolo Cheese (washed), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
- Aging: Niolo Cheese (3 to 4 months), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (At least twenty-eight days)
- Taste: Niolo Cheese (mild, sharp or strong depending on aging), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Niolo Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Casamaccioli, Corsica | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | Soft | Soft and tender |
| Rind | Washed | Washed-rind |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Mild, sharp or strong depending on aging | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Niolo Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Niolo Cheese reads as mild, sharp or strong depending on aging, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. On the nose, Niolo Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Saint-Nectaire Cheese's grassy. More specifically, Niolo Cheese shows animal and spicy notes from damp cellar aging, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty. Aging plays into this as well. Niolo Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Saint-Nectaire Cheese at at least twenty-eight days.
Can You Substitute Niolo Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Niolo Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire 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 and tender. Flavor-wise, Niolo Cheese reads as mild, sharp or strong depending on aging while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Niolo Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Niolo Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Niolo Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sharp or strong depending on aging notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Niolo Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Niolo Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Niolo Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Saint-Nectaire Cheese at least twenty-eight days.
Is Niolo Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Niolo Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Niolo Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Niolo Cheese reads as mild, sharp or strong depending on aging, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Niolo Cheese leans strong, and Saint-Nectaire Cheese is closer to grassy.
What is Niolo Cheese made of?
Niolo Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in France.
What is Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?
Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Niolo Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Niolo Cheese is soft, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.