Bleu de Gex Cheese vs Pecorino Crotonese Cheese

Bleu de Gex Cheese is a creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm and made from sheep milk.

What Is Bleu de Gex Cheese?

Bleu de Gex is a creamy, semi-soft blue cheese from the Jura region of France, made with unpasteurized Montbéliard cow's milk and aged at least three weeks. It is milder and younger than most French blues, and every wheel is stamped with the word Gex.

What Is Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Pecorino Crotonese is an Italian sheep's milk cheese and one of the pecorino varieties registered with the EU as a protected designation of origin. Pecorino is the family name for Italy's sheep's milk cheeses, and every region makes its own.

What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Cheese and Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

• Milk type: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Cow), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Whole sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Unpasteurized), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Raw, thermised, or pasteurised)
• Texture: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Creamy), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm)
• Rind: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Natural, brushed), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - thin; Semi-hard - thick, light brown; Ripened - hard, brown, may be coated with olive oil or olive dregs)
• Aging: Bleu de Gex Cheese (3 weeks minimum), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened))
• Taste: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Mild, with a hint of mushroom), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Bleu de Gex Cheese reads as mild, with a hint of mushroom, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) character. More specifically, Bleu de Gex Cheese shows milder and younger than most french blue cheeses, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese leans toward sheep's milk, hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, smoke. Aging plays into this as well. Bleu de Gex Cheese at 3 weeks minimum develops a different profile than Pecorino Crotonese Cheese at fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).

Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Bleu de Gex Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm. Flavor-wise, Bleu de Gex Cheese reads as mild, with a hint of mushroom while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) notes.

Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a creamy cheese, go with Bleu de Gex Cheese. For a fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm profile, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bleu de Gex Cheese suits recipes that want mild, with a hint of mushroom notes, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fits dishes calling for distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bleu de Gex Cheese the same as Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bleu de Gex Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Crotonese Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Bleu de Gex Cheese is typically aged 3 weeks minimum, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).

Is Bleu de Gex Cheese similar to Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bleu de Gex Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bleu de Gex Cheese taste like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Bleu de Gex Cheese reads as mild, with a hint of mushroom, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened).

What is Bleu de Gex Cheese made of?

Bleu de Gex Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 3 weeks minimum. It originates in France.

What is Pecorino Crotonese Cheese made of?

Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, thermised, or pasteurised), using kid rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).

Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bleu de Gex Cheese is creamy, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm.