Banon Cheese vs Queijo São Jorge

Q: Is Banon Cheese the same as Queijo São Jorge?

No. Banon Cheese and Queijo São Jorge are distinct cheeses from France and Portugal respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Banon Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?

In most recipes you can swap Banon Cheese for Queijo São Jorge, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Banon Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Banon Cheese

Queijo São Jorge

Banon Cheese is a creamy, soft, and tender goat-milk cheese from France, while Queijo São Jorge is firm consistency, hard or semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Portugal.

What Is Banon Cheese?

Banon is an unpasteurized goat cheese from Provence, sold as a small 100 g disc wrapped in chestnut leaves and tied with raffia. It ages about two weeks, gets dipped in eau de vie before wrapping, and has held AOC status since July 2003.

What Is Queijo São Jorge?

Queijo São Jorge is a semi-hard to hard cow's milk cheese made only on the island of São Jorge in the Azores. It is known for its firm, brittle yellowish paste, small irregular holes, and a strong, slightly spicy flavor that sharpens with age.

What's the Difference Between Banon Cheese and Queijo São Jorge?

Origin: Banon Cheese (France), Queijo São Jorge (Portugal)
Milk type: Banon Cheese (goat's milk), Queijo São Jorge (Cow)
Milk treatment: Banon Cheese (unpasteurized), Queijo São Jorge (Raw)
Texture: Banon Cheese (Creamy, soft, and tender), Queijo São Jorge (Firm consistency, hard or semi-hard)
Rind: Banon Cheese (Wrapped in chestnut leaves), Queijo São Jorge (Natural)
Aging: Banon Cheese (15 days), Queijo São Jorge (minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions)
Taste: Banon Cheese (Mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor), Queijo São Jorge (Peppery, grassy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Banon Cheese	Queijo São Jorge
Country of Origin	France	Portugal
Specific Origin	Provence (Alpes-De-Haute Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Vaucluse, Drome)	Island Of São Jorge, Azores
Milk Type	Goat's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Raw
Texture	Creamy, soft, and tender	Firm consistency, hard or semi-hard
Rind	Wrapped in chestnut leaves	Natural
Aging	15 days	Minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions
Taste	Mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor	Peppery, grassy

Taste Comparison: Does Banon Cheese Taste Like Queijo São Jorge?

Banon Cheese reads as mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor, while Queijo São Jorge brings peppery, grassy character. On the nose, Banon Cheese offers earthy, contrasted with Queijo São Jorge's peppery, grassy. More specifically, Banon Cheese shows pungent, while Queijo São Jorge leans toward mild, sour aftertaste; musty, earthy, barnyardy (aged). Aging plays into this as well. Banon Cheese at 15 days develops a different profile than Queijo São Jorge at minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions.

Can You Substitute Banon Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?

Banon Cheese can stand in for Queijo São Jorge in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect creamy, soft, and tender bite and body where the recipe calls for firm consistency, hard or semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Banon Cheese reads as mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor while Queijo São Jorge brings peppery, grassy notes.

Which Is Better, Banon Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a creamy, soft, and tender cheese, go with Banon Cheese. For a firm consistency, hard or semi-hard profile, Queijo São Jorge is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Banon Cheese suits recipes that want mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor notes, while Queijo São Jorge fits dishes calling for peppery, grassy.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Banon Cheese the same as Queijo São Jorge?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Banon Cheese originates in France, while Queijo São Jorge comes from Portugal. Banon Cheese is made from goat milk; Queijo São Jorge uses cow. Aging also differs: Banon Cheese is typically aged 15 days, Queijo São Jorge minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions.

Is Banon Cheese similar to Queijo São Jorge?

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

Can I substitute Banon Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?

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

Does Banon Cheese taste like Queijo São Jorge?

Banon Cheese reads as mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor, while Queijo São Jorge is peppery, grassy. Aromas also diverge. Banon Cheese leans earthy, and Queijo São Jorge is closer to peppery, grassy.

What is Banon Cheese made of?

Banon Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 15 days. It originates in France.

What is Queijo São Jorge made of?

Queijo São Jorge is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions. It originates in Portugal.

Which should I choose, Banon Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Banon Cheese is creamy, soft, and tender, while Queijo São Jorge is firm consistency, hard or semi-hard.