Roquefort Cheese vs Swiss Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Roquefort Cheese and Swiss Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Roquefort Cheese and Swiss Cheese?"
• "Is Roquefort Cheese and Swiss Cheese the same?"
• "How does Roquefort Cheese compare to Swiss Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Roquefort Cheese compare to Swiss Cheese?"
• "Is Roquefort Cheese or Swiss Cheese better?"

Roquefort Cheese Overview

Roquefort is a famous blue cheese from the south of France, made from sheep's milk. It is known for its strong, tangy flavor and moist, crumbly texture. The cheese is ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where it develops its characteristic blue veins from the mold Penicillium roqueforti.

Swiss Cheese Overview

Swiss cheese in the United States refers to a group of cheeses that resemble the Emmental cheese from Switzerland, known for their medium-hard texture and distinctive holes or "eyes." American Swiss cheese is mild, nutty, and sweet, with a smooth, creamy texture, making it popular for sandwiches and burgers.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Swiss Cheese originated from United States.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Roquefort Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1925). Swiss is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Roquefort Cheese is made with sheep milk that is typically unpasteurized. Swiss Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Roquefort's texture can be described as "moist, very creamy". Swiss Cheese has a fat content of ~28-32% and a moisture content of none. Swiss's texture can be described as "semi-firm".

Taste and Aroma

Roquefort Cheese has a mild to strong taste. Roquefort's aroma can be described as "sweet". Swiss Cheese has a mild, nutty, slightly sweet taste. Swiss's aroma can be described as "mild, slightly nutty".

Appearance and Aging

Roquefort Cheese's appearance is colored blue-veined , is available in wheels, wrapped in impermeable foil and is aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months . Swiss Cheese has a color of pale yellow , comes in block, sliced, shredded and has an aging period of typically 1-3 months .

Rind and Rennet Type

Roquefort Cheese uses animal rennet. Swiss Cheese's rind is described as none , with microbial or vegetarian rennet.

Ranking

Roquefort is ranked #19 out of 996 types based on community views. Swiss is ranked #78 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Roquefort and Swiss pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a moist, very creamy cheese, go for Roquefort. But if you enjoy a semi-firm consistency, Swiss might be the better pick. Roquefort has a mild to strong taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Swiss offers a mild, nutty, slightly sweet profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Roquefort Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Swiss Cheese to Other Cheeses