Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese vs Provolone 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 Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan 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 Provolone Cheese?
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.
What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Haut-Jura, Including Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Jura | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots | — |
| Aging | — | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | — | Tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Provolone 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 semi-hard, artisan.
Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Provolone 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 semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese similar to Provolone 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 Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Provolone 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 Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Provolone 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 Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.