American Cheese vs Blue Cheese

American Cheese is a semi-soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is American Cheese?

American cheese is a processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses with sodium citrate added so it pasteurizes without separating. It is mild, salty, and medium-firm, and it melts at a low temperature, which is why it lands on burgers and in grilled cheese.

What Is Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.

What's the Difference Between American Cheese and Blue Cheese?

• Origin: American Cheese (United States), Blue Cheese (France)
• Milk type: American Cheese (cow's milk), Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat)
• Milk treatment: American Cheese (pastuerized), Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw)
• Texture: American Cheese (semi-soft, processed), Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft)
• Rind: American Cheese (rindless), Blue Cheese (Natural)
• Taste: American Cheese (mild, salty), Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does American Cheese Taste Like Blue Cheese?

American Cheese reads as mild, salty, while Blue Cheese brings sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent character. On the nose, American Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Blue Cheese's strong, pungent, earthy, funky. More specifically, American Cheese shows neutral and mild, salty, pairs with a range of meats and other ingredients, while Blue Cheese leans toward earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter.

Can You Substitute American Cheese for Blue Cheese?

American Cheese can stand in for Blue Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for crumbly, creamy, semi-soft. Flavor-wise, American Cheese reads as mild, salty while Blue Cheese brings sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes.

Which Is Better, American Cheese or Blue Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, processed cheese, go with American Cheese. For a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft profile, Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, American Cheese suits recipes that want mild, salty notes, while Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Cheese the same as Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. American Cheese originates in United States, while Blue Cheese comes from France. American Cheese is made from cow milk; Blue Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is American Cheese similar to Blue Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute American Cheese for Blue Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does American Cheese taste like Blue Cheese?

American Cheese reads as mild, salty, while Blue Cheese is sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent. Aromas also diverge. American Cheese leans mild, and Blue Cheese is closer to strong, pungent, earthy, funky.

What is American Cheese made of?

American Cheese is made from cow milk (pastuerized). It originates in United States.

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, American Cheese or Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. American Cheese is semi-soft, processed, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft.