Baguette Laonnaise Cheese vs Blue Cheese
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-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 Baguette Laonnaise Cheese?
Baguette laonnaise is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from Thiérache and the city of Laon in Picardie, France. It is a variation of Maroilles with black pepper and tarragon worked into the curd, sold as a rectangular loaf that gives the cheese its name.
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 Baguette Laonnaise Cheese and Blue Cheese?
- Milk type: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (cow's milk), Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat)
- Milk treatment: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (pasteurized), Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw)
- Texture: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (soft, artisan), Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft)
- Rind: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (washed), Blue Cheese (Natural)
- Aging: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (3 to 4 months), Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months)
- Taste: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (spicy), Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Baguette Laonnaise Cheese | Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Thiérache And Laon, Picardie, France | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, Sheep, Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized or Raw |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft |
| Rind | Washed | Natural |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | Typically aged 2-6 months |
| Taste | Spicy | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent |
Taste Comparison: Does Baguette Laonnaise Cheese Taste Like Blue Cheese?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy, while Blue Cheese brings sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent character. On the nose, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Blue Cheese's strong, pungent, earthy, funky. More specifically, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese shows black pepper, tarragon, while Blue Cheese leans toward earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter. Aging plays into this as well. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months.
Can You Substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Blue Cheese?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese can stand in for Blue Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for crumbly, creamy, semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy while Blue Cheese brings sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes.
Which Is Better, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Baguette Laonnaise Cheese. For a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft profile, Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese the same as Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is made from cow milk; Blue Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Blue Cheese typically aged 2-6 months.
Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese similar to Blue Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Baguette Laonnaise Cheese taste like Blue Cheese?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy, while Blue Cheese is sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent. Aromas also diverge. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese leans pungent, and Blue Cheese is closer to strong, pungent, earthy, funky.
What is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese made of?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 to 4 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, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is soft, artisan, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft.