Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese vs Blue Cheese
Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is a soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds cow-milk cheese, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France.
What Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese?
Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura, also known as Bleu de Septmoncel, is a traditional French cheese. It is made solely from raw processed cow's milk, specifically from Montbéliarde or French Simmental breeds. This cheese has a veined, uncooked, and unpressed paste with a minimum fat content of 50 grams per 100 grams after desiccation. The cheese is shaped into wheels weighing between 6 and 9 kilograms, with a diameter of 31 to 35 centimeters. Its rind is fine, dry, and ranges from whitish to brownish, often bearing the imprint of the moulding cloth. The paste is soft, white to ivory, with blue-green marbling. The cheese is produced and ripened in the Haut-Jura region, known for its rich biodiversity and traditional grazing practices.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Blue Cheese?
- Milk type: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Cow's milk), Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat)
- Milk treatment: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Raw), Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw)
- Texture: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds), Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft)
- Rind: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots), Blue Cheese (Natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese | Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Haut-Jura, Including Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Jura | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, Sheep, Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized or Raw |
| Texture | Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft |
| Rind | Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots | Natural |
| Aging | — | Typically aged 2-6 months |
| Taste | — | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese | Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Blue Cheese
Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese
Blue Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Taste Like Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Blue Cheese?
Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese can stand in for Blue Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds bite and body where the recipe calls for crumbly, creamy, semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds cheese, go with Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese. For a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft profile, Blue Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese the same as Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is made from cow milk; Blue Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese similar to Blue Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Blue Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese made of?
Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).
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, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese is soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds, while Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft.
See full profiles: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Blue Cheese.