Bleu de Gex Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela

Bleu de Gex Cheese is a creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) and made from sheep milk, originating in Portugal.

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 Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.

What's the Difference Between Bleu de Gex Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?

• Origin: Bleu de Gex Cheese (France), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
• Milk type: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Cow), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
• Milk treatment: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Unpasteurized), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Raw)
• Texture: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Creamy), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
• Rind: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Natural, brushed), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho))
• Aging: Bleu de Gex Cheese (3 weeks minimum), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho")
• Taste: Bleu de Gex Cheese (Mild, with a hint of mushroom), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bleu de Gex Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Bleu de Gex Cheese reads as mild, with a hint of mushroom, while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) character. More specifically, Bleu de Gex Cheese shows milder and younger than most french blue cheeses, while Queijo Serra da Estrela leans toward slightly acidic, strong to slightly strong, slightly spicy/salty. Aging plays into this as well. Bleu de Gex Cheese at 3 weeks minimum develops a different profile than Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Can You Substitute Bleu de Gex Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Bleu de Gex Cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho). Flavor-wise, Bleu de Gex Cheese reads as mild, with a hint of mushroom while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) notes.

Which Is Better, Bleu de Gex Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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 closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) profile, Queijo Serra da Estrela is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bleu de Gex Cheese suits recipes that want mild, with a hint of mushroom notes, while Queijo Serra da Estrela fits dishes calling for smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bleu de Gex Cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bleu de Gex Cheese originates in France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Bleu de Gex Cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep. Aging also differs: Bleu de Gex Cheese is typically aged 3 weeks minimum, Queijo Serra da Estrela minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Is Bleu de Gex Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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

Can I substitute Bleu de Gex Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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

Does Bleu de Gex Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Bleu de Gex Cheese reads as mild, with a hint of mushroom, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).

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 Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?

Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.

Which should I choose, Bleu de Gex Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bleu de Gex Cheese is creamy, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).