Pélardon Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese

Q: Is Pélardon Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No. Pélardon Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Pélardon Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Pélardon Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Pélardon Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Pélardon Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Pélardon Cheese

Saint-Nectaire Cheese

Pélardon Cheese is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Pélardon Cheese?

Pélardon is a small round goat's milk cheese from the Cévennes range in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region. It ripens under a white mold rind and has carried AOC status since August 2000.

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 Pélardon Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Milk type: Pélardon Cheese (goat), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
Texture: Pélardon Cheese (soft), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
Rind: Pélardon Cheese (bloomy, white mold), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Pélardon Cheese	Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Country of Origin	France	France
Specific Origin	Cévennes Range, Languedoc-Roussillon, France	Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne
Milk Type	Goat	Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers)
Milk Treatment	—	Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier
Texture	Soft	Soft and tender
Rind	Bloomy, white mold	Washed-rind
Aging	—	At least twenty-eight days
Taste	—	Delicate hazelnut

Taste Comparison: Does Pélardon Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Pélardon Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Pélardon 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.

Which Is Better, Pélardon 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 Pélardon Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pélardon Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pélardon Cheese is made from goat milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow.

Is Pélardon Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pélardon Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Does Pélardon Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Pélardon Cheese made of?

Pélardon Cheese is made from goat milk. 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, Pélardon Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pélardon Cheese is soft, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.