Several cheeses fall into the Gruyère family. First and foremost is Swiss Gruyère. It is softer and smoother than Emmental and considered to be a better cooking cheese. The finest Gruyère has a slight dampness in its pea-sized eyes. The French cheese Beaufort, known as the Prince of Gruyères, is higher in butterfat than most Gruyères and has a sticky moist rind from the bacteria linens.
2000, Paula Lambert, The Cheese Lover’s Cookbook and Guide: Over 150 Recipes, with Instruction on How to Buy, Store, and Serve All Your Favorite Cheeses, New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, page 35