When it comes to world-renowned cheeses, Gruyère holds a special place on the palate of cheese enthusiasts. Originating from Switzerland, this pressed cooked cheese boasts a distinctive and complex flavour profile that is sure to delight. In this blog post, we will delve into the captivating taste of Gruyère, exploring its various flavours and the factors that contribute to its uniqueness.
SEE ALSO: Why Gruyère is Switzerland’s most famous cheese →
What is Gruyère?
Gruyère, named after the picturesque Swiss town of Gruyères, is a classic cheese that has gained international acclaim. Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, Gruyère is made from unpasteurised cow’s milk, using traditional methods passed down through generations. Its unique production process contributes to its exceptional taste.
What does Gruyère taste like?
Without a doubt, Gruyère is one of the world’s most complex cheeses when it comes to flavour profiles. To do this traditional Swiss cheese justice, we must break down the incredible array of flavours into different categories.
You can refer to our flavour wheel above for the complete range of flavours in this cheese.
Vegetal
Gruyère exhibits subtle vegetal notes, reminiscent of grassy meadows. These delicate undertones add a refreshing and earthy dimension to the cheese, evoking a connection to the lush pastures where the cows graze.
Some of the stand-out vegetal flavours in Gruyère include wet grass, raw onion, garlic, cauliflower and celery.
Lactic
The lactic flavour in Gruyère is a result of the milk fermentation process. It brings a tangy and slightly acidic taste to the cheese, reminiscent of fresh yogurt or sour cream. This vibrant note provides a pleasant contrast to the other elements within the cheese.
Look out for notes of melted butter, cooked milk, yoghurt, curd and cream.
Animal
With its rich, raw milk base, Gruyère has a pronounced animal flavour. This character reflects the terroir and the unique diet of the cows that produce the milk. It imparts a delightful creaminess and depth that is distinctively Gruyère.
When it comes to animal notes, Gruyère expresses flavours of beef broth, leather and barnyard.
Spice
Next, we have spice! Indeed, Gruyère surprises the palate with subtle hints of spice, such as clove, pepper, muscat and mint. These warm and aromatic accents add complexity to the cheese, elevating its taste to a whole new level of sophistication.
Floral
When you picture cows grazing on mountain pastures, spring and summer flowers often come to mind. Emanating a delicate and fragrant bouquet, Gruyère exhibits floral notes that offer a pleasant contrast to its savoury profile.
Some signature floral notes include honey, rose and violet. These gentle aromas and flavours create a harmonious balance, captivating the senses and enhancing the overall experience.
Fruit
After vegetal and floral, it is not surprising to find fruit notes in Gruyère. In fact, this aged mountain cheese showcases a delightful fusion of fruity flavours.
From hints of ripe apple to the sweetness of dried fruits, these nuances provide a delightful surprise as they interplay with the cheese’s creamy and nutty undertones. Also look out for hints of grapefruit, apricot, pineapple and banana.
Roasted
Finally, a symphony of roasted flavours emerges in Gruyère, reminiscent of toasted nuts. These toasty notes add depth and warmth, lending a comforting and satisfying element to the cheese.
Some of our favourite roasted flavours in this cheese include subtle hints of coffee, chicory, peanut, hazelnut, vanilla and soft caramel.
Others
Beyond the primary flavour categories, Gruyère exhibits a vast array of nuanced tastes. These could range from sour and vinegar to soapy and ammoniated.
While some of the terms might evoke unpleasant experiences, they appear in such subtle doses that they actually augment all the other flavours we’ve mentioned above. Without a doubt, each bite unravels a captivating tapestry of flavours.
Flavour in different types of Gruyère
Different ages
As you can imagine, there is more than one type of Gruyère cheese. And largely, they are distinguished by the different maturation periods. A young Gruyère between 6 to 9 months is called Classic. On the other hand, wheels that have matured for more than 10 months are branded Réserve.
A Classic will exhibit mostly fresh sweet notes including apple, pineapple, cream, wet grass, honey and almond.
But, as the cheese ages, its flavour becomes more and more complex. Indeed, a 12-month-old wheel of Gruyère will display an incredible array of flavours. Watch out for notes of hazelnut, dark chocolate, cauliflower, onion, beef broth and muscat.
Gruyère Alpage
In addition to aged variants of Gruyère, you can find a summer milk version called Alpage. Gruyère d’Alpage is exclusively made between mid-May and mid-October in mountain pastures. Due to the great variety of pasture lands and the spectacular alpine flora, the cows produce their finest milk during those months.
As a result, this version of Gruyère showcases the most complete range of flavours from our wheel. So, if you’re visiting Switzerland between December and March, be sure to seek out Gruyère Alpage.
Summary: Gruyère is one of the world’s most complex cheeses
Gruyère cheese captivates the palate with its rich and multifaceted flavours. From vegetal and lactic notes to animal and spice undertones, each bite offers a delightful journey through a complex taste profile.
Discover the allure of Gruyère for yourself and embark on a gastronomic adventure that will awaken your taste buds. Whether enjoyed on its own, in culinary creations, or paired with fine wines, Gruyère is sure to leave a lasting impression, enticing you to explore the diverse world of artisanal cheeses further.
Are you a hardcore Gruyère fan? Which flavours first come to mind when you think of this unique cheese? Hit us up in the comments below.
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
