Ricotta Cheese vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese

Ricotta Cheese is a soft, moist cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.

What Is Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Vacherin Mont d'Or is a soft, seasonal cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of Switzerland and France. It is bound in a strip of spruce bark, sold in a round spruce box, and often warmed in that box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Ricotta Cheese and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Ricotta Cheese (Italy), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
• Milk type: Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (cow)
• Milk treatment: Ricotta Cheese (Whey), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
• Texture: Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Ricotta Cheese (None), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
• Aging: Ricotta Cheese (Fresh), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ricotta Cheese Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Ricotta Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.

Can You Substitute Ricotta Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

Ricotta Cheese can stand in for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, moist bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.

Which Is Better, Ricotta Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, moist cheese, go with Ricotta Cheese. For a soft profile, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ricotta Cheese the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ricotta Cheese originates in Italy, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ricotta Cheese is typically aged fresh, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.

Is Ricotta Cheese similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ricotta Cheese for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Ricotta Cheese taste like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

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

What is Ricotta Cheese made of?

Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.

What is Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese made of?

Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (thermized (swiss), raw (french)). It's typically aged at least 2 weeks. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Ricotta Cheese or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.