Beaufort Cheese vs Exmoor Blue Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk.
What Is Beaufort Cheese?
Beaufort is a smooth, creamy cheese from the Savoie region of France. Known for its distinct concave wheel shape, it is produced from raw cow's milk and aged in mountain caves for a minimum of five months. Beaufort has a strong, sweet taste and is often used in fondue due to its excellent melting properties.
What Is Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a full-fat soft blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurized Jersey cow’s milk in Devon and Somerset, England. It has a rich yellow color and a buttery texture, with an average fat content of 34%. The cheese has been handmade on Willet Farm since 1986, using traditional methods. It undergoes a maturation period of 3 to 6 weeks, during which it is regularly turned and treated with Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium candidum to develop its distinctive blue veining. The lush pasture of the region, influenced by the warm, wet climate and red sandstone soil, contributes to the rich flavor of the milk used in production.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized)
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | Devon And Somerset, England |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Soft |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Treated with Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | 3 to 6 weeks |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Exmoor 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 soft.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Exmoor 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 soft profile, Exmoor Blue Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Exmoor Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Exmoor Blue Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Exmoor Blue Cheese made of?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks.
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft.