Alpicrème Cheese vs Blue Cheese
Alpicrème Cheese is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France.
What Is Alpicrème Cheese?
Alpicrème is a soft cheese from France made with goat's milk. It features a bloomy rind that develops during an aging process of 30 days to 3 months. The cheese has a creamy and smooth texture, making it easy to spread. Its flavor is mild and slightly tangy, with the characteristic earthiness that comes from goat's milk. The aging process enhances its flavors, giving it a more pronounced taste over time. Alpicrème is often enjoyed on a cheese platter or paired with a crusty baguette.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What's the Difference Between Alpicrème Cheese and Blue Cheese?
- Milk type: Alpicrème Cheese (goat's milk), Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat)
- Texture: Alpicrème Cheese (soft), Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft)
- Rind: Alpicrème Cheese (Bloomy), Blue Cheese (Natural)
- Aging: Alpicrème Cheese (30 days to 3 months), Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Alpicrème Cheese | Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow, Sheep, Goat |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized or Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft |
| Rind | Bloomy | Natural |
| Aging | 30 days to 3 months | Typically aged 2-6 months |
| Taste | — | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Alpicrème Cheese | Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Alpicrème Cheese and Blue Cheese
Alpicrème Cheese
Blue Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Alpicrème Cheese Taste Like Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Alpicrème Cheese at 30 days to 3 months develops a different profile than Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months.
Can You Substitute Alpicrème Cheese for Blue Cheese?
Alpicrème Cheese can stand in for Blue Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for crumbly, creamy, semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Alpicrème Cheese or Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Alpicrème Cheese. For a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft profile, Blue Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpicrème Cheese the same as Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Alpicrème Cheese is made from goat milk; Blue Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Alpicrème Cheese is typically aged 30 days to 3 months, Blue Cheese typically aged 2-6 months.
Is Alpicrème Cheese similar to Blue Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Alpicrème Cheese for Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Alpicrème Cheese taste like Blue Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Alpicrème Cheese made of?
Alpicrème Cheese is made from goat milk. It's typically aged 30 days to 3 months. It originates in France.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Alpicrème Cheese or Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Alpicrème Cheese is soft, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft.
See full profiles: Alpicrème Cheese and Blue Cheese.