Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, granular Italian cheese made from unpasteurised cow's milk and aged at least 12 months. Protected as a PDO across Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of Bologna and Mantua, it is known for its sharp, salty, deeply savoury taste.
What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
- Texture: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Grainy, flaky)
- Rind: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Hard)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Haut-Jura, Including Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Jura | Emilia-Romagna Region |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds | Grainy, flaky |
| Rind | Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots | Hard |
| Aging | — | 12 to 36 months |
| Taste | — | Umami |
Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
In most recipes, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano 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 grainy, flaky.
Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano 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 grainy, flaky profile, Parmigiano Reggiano 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 12 to 36 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky.