Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese vs Comté Cheese

Share:

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 Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard and made from cow 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 Comté Cheese?

Comté is a hard cheese from eastern France, made daily from raw cow's milk in village dairies called fruitières. It holds PDO status, has the largest production of any French PDO cheese, and tastes mild, nutty, salty and slightly sweet.

What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Comté Cheese?

  • Texture: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds), Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard)
  • Rind: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots), Comté Cheese (Natural)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Comté Cheese
Country of Origin — France
Specific Origin Haut-Jura, Including Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Jura Massif Du Jura
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's Milk
Milk Treatment Raw Raw
Texture Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds Smooth; Semi-hard
Rind Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots Natural
Aging — 4 months to 3 years
Taste — Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted

Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Taste Like Comté Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Comté Cheese?

In most recipes, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Comté Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth; semi-hard.

Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Comté 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 smooth; semi-hard profile, Comté Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese the same as Comté Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese similar to Comté Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Comté Cheese?

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

Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Comté 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 Comté Cheese made of?

Comté Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to 3 years. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Comté 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 Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard.