Pimento Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Pimento Cheese is a spreadable cheese from United States, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
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 Pimento Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Origin: Pimento Cheese (United States), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
- Texture: Pimento Cheese (Spreadable), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
- Taste: Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pimento Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | France |
| Specific Origin | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Cheddar, farmers’ style | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | Spreadable | Soft and tender |
| Rind | — | Washed-rind |
| Aging | — | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Sweet, rounded chili | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Pimento Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pimento Cheese reads as sweet, rounded chili, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. On the nose, Pimento Cheese offers sweet, rounded chili, contrasted with Saint-Nectaire Cheese's grassy. More specifically, Pimento Cheese shows pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty.
Can You Substitute Pimento Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pimento Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect spreadable bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Pimento Cheese reads as sweet, rounded chili while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Pimento Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a spreadable cheese, go with Pimento Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pimento Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, rounded chili 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 Pimento Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pimento Cheese originates in United States, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese comes from France.
Is Pimento Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pimento Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pimento Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pimento Cheese reads as sweet, rounded chili, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Pimento Cheese leans sweet, rounded chili, and Saint-Nectaire Cheese is closer to grassy.
What is Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
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, Pimento Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pimento Cheese is spreadable, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.