Reblochon Cheese vs Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese
Reblochon Cheese is a ivory-colored, creamy and supple cow-milk cheese from France, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth and made from cow milk.
What Is Reblochon Cheese?
Reblochon is a soft, washed-rind cheese made from raw cow's milk in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps. It tastes nutty, holds an AOC designation, and is the cheese that makes tartiflette work.
What Is Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, made by hand from raw hay milk and protected as a PDO. It ages 3 to 6 months, sometimes past two years, and tastes nutty with herbal notes.
What's the Difference Between Reblochon Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
- Texture: Reblochon Cheese (Ivory-colored, creamy and supple), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- Rind: Reblochon Cheese (Yellow-orange covered with a thin white mold), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind)
- Aging: Reblochon Cheese (3 to 4 months), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Reblochon Cheese (creamy, nutty), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Reblochon Cheese | Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Haute-Savoie And Savoie | Vorarlberg, Including Regions Bregenzerwald, Kleinwalsertal, Großwalsertal, Leiblachtal (Pfänderstock), Walgau, And Rheintal. |
| Milk Type | Raw whole cow’s milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Ivory-colored, creamy and supple | Firm to smooth |
| Rind | Yellow-orange covered with a thin white mold | Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Creamy, nutty | Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age |
Taste Comparison: Does Reblochon Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Reblochon Cheese reads as creamy, nutty, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age character. Aging plays into this as well. Reblochon Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Reblochon Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Reblochon Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect ivory-colored, creamy and supple bite and body where the recipe calls for firm to smooth. Flavor-wise, Reblochon Cheese reads as creamy, nutty while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age notes.
Which Is Better, Reblochon Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a ivory-colored, creamy and supple cheese, go with Reblochon Cheese. For a firm to smooth profile, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Reblochon Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, nutty notes, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reblochon Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Reblochon Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Reblochon Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Reblochon Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Reblochon Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Reblochon Cheese reads as creamy, nutty, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
What is Reblochon Cheese made of?
Reblochon Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using natural rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in France.
What is Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese made of?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using natural rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.
Which should I choose, Reblochon Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Reblochon Cheese is ivory-colored, creamy and supple, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.