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Blue Cheese vs Colby Cheese
Blue Cheese
Colby Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Blue Cheese and Colby Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Blue Cheese and Colby Cheese?"
- "Is Blue Cheese and Colby Cheese the same?"
- "How does Blue Cheese compare to Colby Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Blue Cheese compare to Colby Cheese?"
- "Is Blue Cheese or Colby Cheese better?"
Blue Cheese Overview
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
Colby Cheese Overview
Colby is an American cheese that originated in Colby, Wisconsin. It is similar to cheddar but is softer, moister, and milder in flavor. Colby is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic texture with a creamy, mild flavor that makes it popular in cheeseburgers and sandwiches.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Blue Cheese comes from France. Colby Cheese originated from United States.
Milk Type and Treatment
Blue Cheese is made with cow, goat, or sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Colby Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Blue Cheese has a fat content of around 25-35% and a moisture content of around 30-50%. Blue's texture can be described as "crumbly, creamy, semi-soft". Colby Cheese has a fat content of ~31–32% (total weight basis) and a moisture content of around 30-50%. Colby's texture can be described as "slightly curdy, softer".
Taste and Aroma
Blue Cheese has a sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent taste. Blue's aroma can be described as "strong, pungent, earthy, funky". Colby Cheese has a mild, milky taste. Colby's aroma can be described as "mild, sweet".
Appearance and Aging
Blue Cheese's appearance is colored white to creamy yellow base with blue-green veining , is available in wheel, block, wedge, crumbles and is aged typically aged 2-6 months . Colby Cheese has a color of orange , comes in longhorn, minihorn, blocks, shreds, colby jack and has an aging period of < 3 months .
Rind and Rennet Type
Blue Cheese's rind is described as natural and uses traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. Colby Cheese's rind is described as none .
Ranking
Blue is ranked #3 out of 996 types based on community views. Colby is ranked #32 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Blue | Colby | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | Pulled Pork, Riesling |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Blue and Colby pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Blue Cheese | Colby Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | United States |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | Colby, Wisconsin |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | Around 25-35% | ~31–32% (total weight basis) |
| Moisture Content | Around 30-50% | 40% |
| Rind | Natural | None |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Slightly curdy, softer |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Mild, milky |
| Aroma | Strong, Pungent, Earthy, Funky | Mild, sweet |
| Colors | White to Creamy Yellow base with Blue-Green Veining | Orange |
| Forms | Wheel, Block, Wedge, Crumbles | Longhorn, minihorn, blocks, shreds, Colby Jack |
| Age | Typically aged 2-6 months | < 3 months |
| Rennet Type | Traditional (animal rennet) or Microbial (varies by producer) | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go for Blue. But if you enjoy a slightly curdy, softer consistency, Colby might be the better pick. Blue has a sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Colby offers a mild, milky profile, ideal for different meals.
