Beaufort Cheese vs Dorset Blue Cheese

Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Dorset Blue Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.

What Is Beaufort Cheese?

Beaufort is a firm raw cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps, part of the gruyère family. Its wheels take a concave shape from the beechwood hoop, and the cheese melts easily enough to be a standard choice for fondue.

What Is Dorset Blue Cheese?

Dorset Blue is an English cow's milk blue cheese protected by a European designation of origin. Also sold as Dorset Blue Vinney, it is known for moderate blue veining and a piquant flavor that stops short of being strong.

What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Dorset Blue Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Dorset Blue Cheese (Skimmed)
• Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Dorset Blue Cheese (Firm)
• Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Dorset Blue Cheese (Rough, dry brown mold coating)
• Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Dorset Blue Cheese (12 to 20 weeks)
• Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Dorset Blue Cheese (Piquant, peppery, mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Dorset Blue Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Dorset Blue Cheese brings piquant, peppery, mild to strong character. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Dorset Blue Cheese leans toward piquant like other blue cheeses, not excessively strong. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Dorset Blue Cheese at 12 to 20 weeks.

Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Dorset Blue Cheese?

In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Dorset Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Dorset Blue Cheese brings piquant, peppery, mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Dorset Blue Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a firm profile, Dorset Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Dorset Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for piquant, peppery, mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Dorset Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Dorset Blue Cheese 12 to 20 weeks.

Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Dorset Blue Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Dorset Blue Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Dorset Blue Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Dorset Blue Cheese is piquant, peppery, mild to strong.

What is Beaufort Cheese made of?

Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.

What is Dorset Blue Cheese made of?

Dorset Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed). It's typically aged 12 to 20 weeks.

Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Dorset Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Dorset Blue Cheese is firm.