L'Etivaz Cheese vs Sbrinz Cheese
L'Etivaz Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Sbrinz Cheese is extra hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What Is Sbrinz Cheese?
Sbrinz is an extra hard cow's milk cheese from Central Switzerland, made in only 42 dairies. It ripens for at least 16 months and is usually grated over pasta or broken into small pieces to eat with wine.
What's the Difference Between L'Etivaz Cheese and Sbrinz Cheese?
- Texture: L'Etivaz Cheese (hard), Sbrinz Cheese (extra hard)
- Aging: L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months), Sbrinz Cheese (At least sixteen months, often three years)
- Taste: L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty), Sbrinz Cheese (Unique)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| L'Etivaz Cheese | Sbrinz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Vaud, Switzerland | Luzern, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug, Muri (Aargau), Bern, St. Gallen |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Extra hard |
| Rind | — | Forms a rind |
| Aging | 5 to 13 months | At least sixteen months, often three years |
| Taste | Fruity, slightly nutty | Unique |
Taste Comparison: Does L'Etivaz Cheese Taste Like Sbrinz Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Sbrinz Cheese brings unique character. On the nose, L'Etivaz Cheese offers smokey, contrasted with Sbrinz Cheese's aromatic, spicy. More specifically, L'Etivaz Cheese shows creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil, while Sbrinz Cheese leans toward different from other hard cheeses, less water. Aging plays into this as well. L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months develops a different profile than Sbrinz Cheese at at least sixteen months, often three years.
Can You Substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Sbrinz Cheese?
In most recipes, L'Etivaz Cheese and Sbrinz Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for extra hard. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty while Sbrinz Cheese brings unique notes.
Which Is Better, L'Etivaz Cheese or Sbrinz Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with L'Etivaz Cheese. For a extra hard profile, Sbrinz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, slightly nutty notes, while Sbrinz Cheese fits dishes calling for unique.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L'Etivaz Cheese the same as Sbrinz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: L'Etivaz Cheese is typically aged 5 to 13 months, Sbrinz Cheese at least sixteen months, often three years.
Is L'Etivaz Cheese similar to Sbrinz Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Sbrinz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does L'Etivaz Cheese taste like Sbrinz Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Sbrinz Cheese is unique. Aromas also diverge. L'Etivaz Cheese leans smokey, and Sbrinz Cheese is closer to aromatic, spicy.
What is L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
What is Sbrinz Cheese made of?
Sbrinz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least sixteen months, often three years. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, L'Etivaz Cheese or Sbrinz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. L'Etivaz Cheese is hard, while Sbrinz Cheese is extra hard.