Queijo Serra da Estrela vs Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Queijo Serra da Estrela
Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese
Queijo Serra da Estrela is a closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) sheep-milk cheese from Portugal, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.
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 Queijo Serra da Estrela and Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
- Origin: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (cow)
- Milk treatment: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Raw), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (thermized (Swiss), raw (French))
- Texture: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho)), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho)), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (washed rind)
- Aging: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho"), Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese (at least 2 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queijo Serra da Estrela | Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Portugal | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Beira Uplands, Including Municipalities Such As Carregal Do Sal, Celorico Da Beira, And Others. | Jura Region, Switzerland And France |
| Milk Type | Sheep | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Thermized (Swiss), raw (French) |
| Texture | Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho) | Soft |
| Rind | Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho) | Washed rind |
| Aging | Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho" | At least 2 weeks |
| Taste | Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho) | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Queijo Serra da Estrela Taste Like Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho" develops a different profile than Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at at least 2 weeks.
Can You Substitute Queijo Serra da Estrela for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Queijo Serra da Estrela can stand in for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.
Which Is Better, Queijo Serra da Estrela 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 closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) cheese, go with Queijo Serra da Estrela. For a soft profile, Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queijo Serra da Estrela the same as Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queijo Serra da Estrela originates in Portugal, while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese comes from Switzerland. Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk; Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Queijo Serra da Estrela is typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho", Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese at least 2 weeks.
Is Queijo Serra da Estrela similar to Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queijo Serra da Estrela for Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queijo Serra da Estrela 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 Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?
Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.
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, Queijo Serra da Estrela or Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho), while Vacherin Mont-d'Or Cheese is soft.