What is Emmental Cheese: The Complete Guide!

Do you like emmental cheese? If so, this is the blog post for you! In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about emmental cheese.

We'll talk about its history, how it's made and what makes it unique. We'll also share some recipes you can use to enjoy emmental cheese in all its glory!

What is Emmental cheese?

Swiss Emmental cheese originated in the 13th century in the Emme river valley in the Swiss canton or region of Bern. It's the oldest cheese in Switzerland and is considered an important part of Swiss history.

Emmenthal produced in the region's creameries benefits from protected designation of origin (AOP) or protected designation of origin (PDO).

It requires the milk to be produced from fresh, raw (unpasteurized) cow's milk, produced exclusively in designated production regions and fed only on grass and hay.

Emmental (also known as Emmental, Emmentaler, and Emmenthaler) is a smooth, semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. 

It has a firm, dense body and a hard, inedible crust. It ranges from smooth and buttery to nutty, fruity and full-flavored. Young or classic Emmenthal is aged for at least four months and is soft and fruity.

Why Emmental Cheese Has Holes

The cheese has holes because of the way it is produced. Emmental cheese is a type of Swiss cheese with large holes, or "eyes" The eyes are formed by gas bubbles that form during the cheese-making process.

The gas bubbles are caused by bacteria that eat the lactose in the milk and produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is trapped in the bend.

The holes also help to identify genuine Emmental cheese from imitations, since Swiss law requires all Emmental cheeses to have holes.

Bacteria shermani propionibacter are submerged in a vat of liquid, where they consume lactic acid and produce carbon dioxide bubbles.

Holes in the rind of the cheese are caused by air bubbles trapped in the curd during ripening. The size of the holes is determined by the change in temperature they bring the milk to, the acidity of the milk, or how long a cheesemaker ages his molds.

What does emmental cheese taste like

Emmentaler's distinctive flavor is due in part to our fellow shermani propionibacter. When the bacteria consume lactic acid in the young cheese, they also produce other secondary products such as carbon dioxide.

CO2 is released when lactic acid is broken down, and lactic acid changes to propionic acid, which gives Emmentaler its distinctive, pungent smell and taste.

The taste of Emmentaler cheese varies greatly depending on the level of activity of Propionibacter shermani. The taste and the size of the eyes are linked. The holes in the cheese are larger, which results in a more intense and developed flavor.

The longer a cheese ages, the more bacteria there are that enhance its flavor. This may explain why American-made Swiss cheese has softer, creamier flavors. European versions tend to be rounder, richer and more nutty.

If you prefer a delicate flavor and creamy texture, then I suggest you check out the cheese mozzarella which is ideal for a variety of recipes.

Emmental cheese: health benefits

I don't know if you're aware of this, but Swiss cheeses offer a number of health benefits, as is the case with Emmental cheese:

Bone Health

The calcium and protein in Swiss cheese contribute to stronger, healthier bones. Protein has been linked to bone development and formation.

In addition, calcium intake is necessary for our bones to be strong and healthy, as well as good blood flow and muscles.

Helps in increasing muscle mass

Swiss cheese is rich in protein. Protein is essential for human nutrition, but it also has advantages for the body, such as increasing muscle mass and contributing to our strength.

Increasing protein intake has been shown to directly contribute to strength development in resistance training.

Reduces blood pressure

More studies are needed to link Swiss cheese to lower blood pressure. Despite this, research has found that cheese includes doses of two antihypertensive peptides (protein components found in milk, eggs, and meat) with blood pressure-lowering effects.

Increases Metabolism

Many proteins are also beneficial for boosting your metabolism and reducing food cravings, which helps you avoid overeating and gaining weight.

Foods containing high protein, such as Swiss cheese, have been shown to reduce the number of calories burned and give you more energy, especially when compared to diets rich in carbohydrates.

How emmental cheese is made

Raw cow's milk is gently heated in a large copper kettle or vat. Natural whey and rennet are added to trigger coagulation and curd formation. The curds are removed from the mold and placed in molds, while the whey is drained off.

The molds are then brined and aged. A mixture of proprietary cultures, including propionic bacteria, are added during the maturation process. The propionic bacteria feed on the lactic acid and release carbon dioxide bubbles during the ageing process. 

The bubbles are trapped inside the rind as it molds and develops holes. The room temperatures will be kept warm to help the cheese's recognizable holes form during ripening.

After two months, the cheese will take on the characteristics of Emmenthal cheese. The cheese is produced in large molds about 1.5 m wide and weighing approximately 200 kilos.

Emmenthal without the AOP designation is also produced in France and Germany, as well as in the United States, where it is widely available as both Emmenthal and Swiss cheese and is moderately priced.

Non-AOP cheese is milder and lacks the flavor characteristics of real Swiss Emmenthal, as the milk and crops used are not the same as those used in designated production areas in Switzerland.

Types of Emmental Cheese in Brazil

In Brazil, smaller Emental cheeses are available with cylinders weighing between 12 and 25 kg. They are also available in portions in most cases.

Emmental cheese is produced in Brazil by pasteurizing cow's milk and has a mild, sweet taste. The method and the different raw ingredients of the Swiss original produce a very different flavor.

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

Despite being a typical Swiss cheese, Emmental can also be produced in France and Germany.

For this reason, Emmental or Emmentaler cheeses do not have a protected designation of origin in Europe, like other Gorgonzola or Brie cheeses.

However, there are four varieties of cheese that are recognized for their quality of origin:

• Emmentaler Switzerland - refer to cheeses made in specific regions in Switzerland;
• Allgäuer Emmentaler - refer to cheeses made in Germany, in the region of Bavaria;
• Emmental of Savoie - They refer to cheeses made in France, in the Savoie area;
• Emmental Français Est-Central - They refer to cheeses made in France, in the Franche-Comté region;

What does emmental cheese go with?

Emmental cheese is a cheese that melts easily. It's great for grated or melted cheese dishes, such as sauces, quiches and soufflés.

Want to add a gourmet touch to your hot mozzarella? Simply replace the mozzarella with Emmental cheese and Dijon mustard for a great upgrade. The X-burger also benefits from the addition of Emmental cheese.

The famous French Croque Monsieur (ham, cheese and béchamel sauce on a croissant) can be made with Emmental along the lines of a sandwich. See how to prepare it in the video below.

Mix pieces of emmental with leaves, fruit and nuts to add interest to a salad.

The Emmental cheese and leek soufflé is fantastic. By the way, a basic omelette with Emmental is quite good, and let's not even talk about quiches, which can also be prepared with this Swiss cheese.

Cheese is also fantastic with mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage, potatoes and other varieties of pasta. Simply grate the cheese and cook it in a gratin dish.

Emmental cheese can also be eaten natural, i.e. in small cubes. It can be served with fruit, salami or gourmet hams.

Cheese is best served at room temperature. So remember to take it out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before serving (depending on the room temperature).

Differences between Emmental and Gruyere cheese

Emmental and Gruyère are two of the best-known Swiss cheeses, both of which are highly prized in fondue for their flavor and melting ability. Despite their widespread popularity, many people find it difficult to distinguish between the two types of cheese.

Emmental cheese is milder in flavor than Gruyère, but can be used as a substitute in most dishes.

In popular culture, Emmental has large holes, while Gruyère has smaller holes. In addition, Gruyère is fatter and saltier than Emmental, making it ideal for creamier fondue.

Let's take a closer look at the differences between Gruyére and Emmental.

Visual aspect

One of the main differences between these types of cheese is their visual appearance. Although both products are pale yellow in color, Emmental cheese is characterized by huge holes created by gas pockets during a fermentation process that lasts three to six months. 

On the other hand, Gruyére has fewer holes, which are also smaller, but more evenly separated than in the case of Emmental. It should come as no surprise that the holes shrink during the ageing process.

It is a great snack or breakfast option that is packed with nutrients and will help satisfy your hunger. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Gruyère comes in smaller wheels than the Emmental, weighing between 30 and 40 kilos, and has a more pronounced flavor than its larger counterpart, thanks to the longer aging time.

Emmental, on the other hand, can be stored for up to six weeks in the fridge and frozen for up to three months with little change in taste or texture. If well packaged and refrigerated, Gruyere can also last for several weeks.

Flavor and Fusion

Both types of cheese are quite similar when it comes to origin, use and storage properties. But when it comes to taste, Gruyère is a little fatter and saltier than Emmental, and undoubtedly a little tastier. 

Both types of cheese come from Switzerland, albeit in two different regions, and are particularly suitable for fondues and cheese dishes due to their distinct melting properties. But traditionally, Gruyère is used for the creamiest fondue.

emmental cheese recipes

There are thousands of recipes using Emmental cheese, so I decided to share with you 3 recipes that I love and that you can follow step by step on video.

Emmental Cheese Quiche

The term "quiche" derives from the German "küchen," which means "pie"

Quiche has many variations and can be served with a variety of fillings, such as cheese, ham, vegetables, etc. The flexibility and diversity of this dish is demonstrated by the numerous recipes and preparation methods.

Here's a delicious recipe for emmental cheese quiche, which is very simple and quick to prepare. It can also be used for lunch or dinner, as a starter or even as a snack with family or friends.

Emmental cheese fondue

Fondue is a meal that offers you and your friends and family an unmissable experience! It's a meal that's constantly shared with everyone.

Do you know that cheese fondue you only see in the fanciest restaurants in town or on TV and that you've always wanted to make at home?

Once you learn how to prepare this homemade cheese fondue recipe, your dream will come true.

Emmental cheese soufflé

Soufflé is a French dish that has been around for centuries and is made with very simple ingredients: egg yolks, butter, flour and milk.

The beauty of soufflé lies in its simplicity and versatility. It can be sweet or savory, large or small, cooked or plain.

This emmental cheese soufflé recipe is tasty, simple and quick to make. It's perfect for a main course or as an accompaniment to a more elaborate meal.

Emmental cheese frequently asked questions

We often get a lot of questions about emmental cheese, so we want to clarify the most common ones:

Emmental cheese price in Brazil ?

1kg of Brazilian-made Emmental cheese should cost around R$110, but you can also buy the cheese cut into slices, usually between 120g and 150g, which cost around R$20

Does emmental cheese melt?

Emmental cheese melts and is therefore often used in cheese fondues, as well as in creamy dishes such as pizzas, risottos, etc.

Is emmental cheese good?

Emmental cheese is quite good, it has a more neutral taste, which makes it possible to use it in various recipes, both sweet and savory. Emmental cheese is also healthier than other cheeses because it contains less fat.

Emmental cheese goes with which wine?

Emmental cheese goes very well with Chardonnay, which is a white wine, but it can also be served with sparkling wine.

Does Emmental cheese have lactose?

Some hard Swiss cheeses, including Le Gruyère and emmental, lactose-freeas it breaks down in the production process.

Does emmental cheese have fungus?

No, emmental cheese has no lactose or fungus. It's a healthy cheese option for those looking for a cheese with a lower fat and calorie content. Emmental cheese is made from milk, salt and rennet. That's right! No added preservatives or anything else. You can feel good about eating emmental cheese.