No, Jarlsberg is not a cheddar; it's a mild, semi-soft Norwegian cheese similar to Swiss Emmental (Swiss cheese) with large "eyes" (holes) and a nutty, sweet flavor, developed from a mix of Gouda and Emmental, while cheddar is an English cheese with a distinct sharp, buttery taste and firmer texture.
Cheddar has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Jarlsberg offers a mild, sweet, nutty profile, ideal for different meals.
Jarlsberg® is a mix between Gouda and Emmental (also known as Swiss cheese). The structure and pattern of the holes in Jarlsberg® are unique – and inseparable from the mild, nutty flavour.
Scientists think Jarlsberg came out on top because of the particular kind of bacteria it contains, as well as the fact that it's rich in vitamin K, which helps build healthy bone tissue.
If you prefer a semihard cheese, go for Jarlsberg. But if you enjoy a semi-firm consistency, Swiss might be the better pick. Jarlsberg has a mild, sweet, nutty taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Swiss offers a mild, nutty, slightly sweet profile, ideal for different meals.
Gruyere is another famous cheese that is often compared to Jarlsberg. Like Jarlsberg, Gruyère has a slightly nutty taste with a hint of sweetness. It also has a smooth, creamy texture that makes it an excellent melting cheese.
The United States Department of Agriculture uses the terms Swiss cheese and Emmentaler cheese interchangeably. In Australia, both terms are used, along with Swiss-style cheese, in some cases differentiating the two. The term Swiss cheese is sometimes used in India, although it is also often referred to as Emmental.
The unhealthiest cheeses are generally highly processed varieties like American cheese singles or cheese spreads (due to high sodium, additives, and lower nutrients) and very rich, creamy soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or triple-crèmes, which are packed with saturated fat and calories, making them best as infrequent treats, says sources 1, 5, 6. Harder cheeses like Stilton and Roquefort can also be high in saturated fat and sodium, respectively, notes sources 4, 8.
In addition, the cheese supplement may reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and the LDL/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio. It may also positively affect blood pressure.
Dietitians recommend opting for feta, gouda, goat, fresh mozzarella or any grass-fed cheese. Pair these cheeses with lifestyle habits, like exercise and sleep, to help lower inflammation.
Beth Gordon, RD, a registered dietician at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, says that in general, dairy products should help bone health. “Interestingly, the higher content of K2 in Jarlsberg intake versus other cheese consumption was enlightening, and that could be used to improve bone health,” she says.
5 Quick Ways with Jarlsberg Cheese
The Jarlsberg® production process is expensive, due to using only premium quality milk and a micro-filtering process.
One of the key factors that sets Jarlsberg apart from other cheeses is its iconic large holes, known as "eyes." These holes are formed during the cheese-making process when carbon dioxide is released by bacteria, creating the characteristic round openings.
In the Swiss Cheese model, an organisation's defences against failure are modelled as a series of barriers, represented as slices of the cheese. The holes in the cheese slices represent individual weaknesses in individual parts of the system, and are continually varying in size and position in all slices.
Jarlsberg cheese is renowned for its excellent melting properties. When heated, it becomes irresistibly gooey and develops a rich, creamy texture.
The healthiest cheeses are often fresh, low-sodium options like Cottage Cheese, due to its high protein and low calories, and Mozzarella, known for being lower in sodium and fat. Other excellent choices include Ricotta, Goat Cheese, and Parmesan, offering good protein, calcium, and flavor without excessive calories, though portion control remains key for all cheeses.
Cheese, as we're now learning, doesn't raise your risk for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, and indeed might even be protective; cheese contains good bacteria that benefit the gut microbiome; one cheese in particular may help to stave off osteoporosis (spoiler alert, it's Jarlsberg); while ...
To remove cholesterol from your body, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating more soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil, fish), exercising regularly (30 mins most days), losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, as these changes lower bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol, with some people needing medication for more severe cases.
Let this list help guide your cheese choices for heart health.
Casu martzu (Sardinian: [ˈkazu ˈmaɾtsu]; lit. 'rotten cheese') is a Sardinian sheep milk cheese that contains live fly maggots.
Any cheese with an ingredients list of only milk, salt, and enzymes/cultures (like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, gouda, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, etc.) is 100% real cheese, while "American Cheese" or "cheese products" often contain added emulsifiers and flavorings, making them processed rather than purely natural cheese. Always check the label: if it lists more than milk, salt, and enzymes (like sodium citrate, whey, artificial flavors), it's a cheese product.
Swiss cheese without holes is called “blind” but still tastes the same.
Emmentaler is so named because the particular process by which the cheese is made originated in the Emme Valley, in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland.
Monroe, Wisconsin - The "Swiss Cheese" capital of the world.