Bleu des Causses Cheese vs Pimento Cheese
Bleu des Causses Cheese is a semisoft; blue-veined cow-milk cheese from France, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.
What Is Bleu des Causses Cheese?
Bleu des Causses is a French blue cheese made from whole cow's milk and ripened three to six months in the limestone caves of the Gorges du Tarn. Many people treat it as a gentler cow's milk counterpart to Roquefort.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
What's the Difference Between Bleu des Causses Cheese and Pimento Cheese?
- Origin: Bleu des Causses Cheese (France), Pimento Cheese (United States)
- Milk type: Bleu des Causses Cheese (Cow’s milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
- Texture: Bleu des Causses Cheese (Semisoft; Blue-veined), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
- Taste: Bleu des Causses Cheese (Sweet yet spicy, not too salty or bitter), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bleu des Causses Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | United States |
| Specific Origin | Gorges Du Tarn, Languedoc Region; Five Cantons Of Aveyron (Campagnac, Cornus, Millau, Peyreleau, Saint Affrique), Trier (Gard), Pégairolles Of Escalette (Hérault) | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States |
| Milk Type | Cow’s milk | Cheddar, farmers’ style |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Semisoft; Blue-veined | Spreadable |
| Aging | At least 70 days and not more than 190 days | — |
| Taste | Sweet yet spicy, not too salty or bitter | Sweet, rounded chili |
Taste Comparison: Does Bleu des Causses Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?
Bleu des Causses Cheese reads as sweet yet spicy, not too salty or bitter, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character. On the nose, Bleu des Causses Cheese offers sophisticated bouquet, contrasted with Pimento Cheese's sweet, rounded chili. More specifically, Bleu des Causses Cheese shows sweet yet spicy, melting powerfully in the mouth, while Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.
Can You Substitute Bleu des Causses Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
Bleu des Causses Cheese can stand in for Pimento Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semisoft; blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable. Flavor-wise, Bleu des Causses Cheese reads as sweet yet spicy, not too salty or bitter while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.
Which Is Better, Bleu des Causses Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semisoft; blue-veined cheese, go with Bleu des Causses Cheese. For a spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bleu des Causses Cheese suits recipes that want sweet yet spicy, not too salty or bitter notes, while Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bleu des Causses Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bleu des Causses Cheese originates in France, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.
Is Bleu des Causses Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bleu des Causses Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Bleu des Causses Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?
Bleu des Causses Cheese reads as sweet yet spicy, not too salty or bitter, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili. Aromas also diverge. Bleu des Causses Cheese leans sophisticated bouquet, and Pimento Cheese is closer to sweet, rounded chili.
What is Bleu des Causses Cheese made of?
Bleu des Causses Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged at least 70 days and not more than 190 days. It originates in France.
What is Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
Which should I choose, Bleu des Causses Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bleu des Causses Cheese is semisoft; blue-veined, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.