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Blue Cheese vs Edam Cheese
Blue Cheese
Edam Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Blue Cheese and Edam Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Blue Cheese and Edam Cheese?"
- "Is Blue Cheese and Edam Cheese the same?"
- "How does Blue Cheese compare to Edam Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Blue Cheese compare to Edam Cheese?"
- "Is Blue Cheese or Edam 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.
Edam Cheese Overview
Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is recognizable by its typically red or yellow wax coating. Made from partially skimmed cow's milk, it has a mild, slightly salty flavor and a firm but creamy texture. Edam ages well and does not spoil; instead, it hardens, which makes it an excellent cheese for long-term storage.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Blue Cheese comes from France. Edam Cheese originated from Netherlands.
Milk Type and Treatment
Blue Cheese is made with cow, goat, or sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Edam 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". Edam's texture can be described as "rubber-textured to crystalline".
Taste and Aroma
Blue Cheese has a sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent taste. Blue's aroma can be described as "strong, pungent, earthy, funky". Edam Cheese has a sweet, milky, nutty, buttery taste.
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 . Edam Cheese has a color of red , comes in round and has an aging period of 3 months to longer .
Rind and Rennet Type
Blue Cheese's rind is described as natural and uses traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. Edam Cheese's rind is described as smooth, waxed .
Ranking
Blue is ranked #3 out of 996 types based on community views. Edam is ranked #14 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Blue | Edam | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Chardonnay |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Blue and Edam pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Blue Cheese | Edam Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | North Of Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | Around 25-35% | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | Around 30-50% | Not Specified |
| Rind | Natural | Smooth, waxed |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Rubber-textured to crystalline |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery |
| Aroma | Strong, Pungent, Earthy, Funky | Not Specified |
| Colors | White to Creamy Yellow base with Blue-Green Veining | Red |
| Forms | Wheel, Block, Wedge, Crumbles | Round |
| Age | Typically aged 2-6 months | 3 months to longer |
| 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 rubber-textured to crystalline consistency, Edam might be the better pick. Blue has a sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Edam offers a sweet, milky, nutty, buttery profile, ideal for different meals.
