What Does Gruyère Cheese Taste Like?

a person pouring wine into glass beside gruyère cheese

Exploring cheeses made in Switzerland? You might want to try Gruyère, a wonderful melting cheese and a snack that can be enjoyed in small slices. Other popular Swiss cheeses include Tête de moine and Schabziger. So, what does Gruyère cheese taste like?

What is Gruyère Cheese?

Before we get into the flavor of Gruyère cheese, this cheese comes from raw cow’s milk. It’s characterized by a grainy yellow to brownish exterior with a light yellow interior. As for the maturation time, Gruyère can be aged from 5 months to 1 year. The longer it has matured, the more intense the flavor. 

Pair Gruyère with white wine, such as Chardonnay, or something dry and crunchy like crackers and pecan nuts! 

History of Gruyère Cheese 

Gruyère originated in the medieval town of Gruyères in Switzerland, which is well-known for its rich culture, art museums, and cuisine. The Gruyère region has actually been producing this cheese since the 12th century. 

Fast forward to 2001, it gained the Appellation d’origine contrôlée status, which means “controlled designation of origin” and safeguards its authenticity [*]. This ensures that Gruyère cheese producers follow strict standards. 

What Does Gruyère Cheese Taste Like?

Gruyère cheese may have a distinct flavor, but it’s not overwhelming, unlike blue cheese. To be more specific, Gruyère tastes sweet and a bit salty with a creamy texture. 

Additionally, younger Gruyère has a somewhat grassy flavor, which reminds you of the diet of cows during the summer months. On the other hand, aged Gruyère tastes sharper. 

When choosing Gruyère for baked dishes, go for the younger versions since they melt well. For cheeseboards, choose the older and harder versions. 

The unique flavor of Gruyère makes it a great accompaniment to sweet fruits like apples, grapes, and pears. If you love dark chocolate, the good news is that it pairs perfectly with this cheese. 

Gruyère Cheese Nutrition

Cheese is good for you, whether it’s classic cheddar, Gruyère, or a different kind of low-carb cheese. According to the USDA, a 1 oz serving of Gruyère provides [*]: 

  • Calories: 117 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 0.1 grams 
  • Protein: 8.45 grams
  • Total fat: 9.16 grams

Micronutrients you can obtain from Gruyère include magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, beta-carotene, and calcium [*]. Overall, this cheese is nutrient-dense and a healthy option for low-carb dieters and anyone who incorporates dairy as part of a whole-foods diet. 

What is Gruyère Cheese Used For?

There are plenty of ways to incorporate Gruyère into your everyday recipes. Check out these ideas: 

Cheese-infused baked recipes

An example would be Spinach Quiche, a perfect brunch dish that combines heavy cream, chopped spinach, finely shredded Gruyère, and egg mixture! Try baked mac and cheese as well where you mix shredded Gruyère and medium sharp cheddar cheese. 

Charcuterie boards

On a charcuterie board, combine Gruyère and other semi-firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, muenster, and provolone. Then add fresh fruits, prosciutto, salami, crackers, and a variety of nuts! 

Grilled sandwiches

For a mouthwatering recipe, combine cheddar and Gruyère, and then season with chives and black pepper. Cook the sandwiches in a cast iron pan and flip them occasionally until they turn golden brown. 

Substitute for Gruyère Cheese

The best Gruyère substitutes are cheeses with similar flavor profiles. Emmental is a wonderful option. It’s also semi-hard with a mild and sweet taste. Other good substitutes include Gouda, Jarlsberg, Raclette, and Beaufort. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about Gruyère cheese from our list of FAQs below: 

What does Gruyère taste similar to?

Similar flavors include French Comté, Beaufort, Fontina, Emmental, and Raclette. Because they taste the same, feel free to use them as substitutes in recipes that call for Gruyère. 

How to correctly pronounce Gruyère?

Gruyère is pronounced as “groo-yair.”

Is Gruyère cheese expensive?

Yes, this cheese is quite pricey when you buy it in the US. The price for one pound of Gruyère cheese amounts to $18. (Meanwhile, a pound of cheddar cheese costs only $5.99.)

The Bottom Line

There’s no doubt that Gruyère is an amazing Swiss cheese. It tastes sweet and somewhat grassy, and becomes sharper with age. 

It becomes creamy when heated, yet it can also be used as a snacking cheese along with other sweet fruits, cheddar, gouda, crackers, and nuts! Low-carb, high-protein, and high-fat, Gruyère meets your nutritional needs. 

Aside from Gruyère, we would love to introduce you to other types of cheeses that are processed using our special technology. Try Käze products made from 100% real cheese: Cheddar Cheese Bites, Gouda Cheese Bites,Pepper Jack Cheese Bites, and so much more!

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