Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese vs Taleggio 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 Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center 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 Taleggio Cheese?
Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.
What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Taleggio Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Raw), Taleggio Cheese (Heated to 90–95°F)
- Texture: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
- Rind: Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese (Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese | Taleggio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Haut-Jura, Including Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Jura | Val Taleggio, Po Valley |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Heated to 90–95°F |
| Texture | Soft, with a slight opening and marbling of blue-green moulds | Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center |
| Rind | Fine, dry, whitish to brownish, slightly floury, with possible reddish to brownish spots | Soft, thin, pinkish-red |
| Aging | — | At least 35 (up to 50) days |
| Taste | — | Sweet, delicate, slightly sour |
Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese Taste Like Taleggio Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?
In most recipes, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese and Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.
Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio 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 Taleggio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese similar to Taleggio 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 Taleggio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese taste like Taleggio 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 Taleggio Cheese made of?
Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura / Bleu de Septmoncel Cheese or Taleggio 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 Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.