Blue Cheese vs Emmental Cheese
Blue Cheese
Emmental Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Blue Cheese?
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.
What Is Emmental Cheese?
Emmental is a classic Swiss cheese, known for its large holes and nutty, mild flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a hard, dense texture. The holes, or "eyes," develop during the fermentation process as a result of gas released by the bacteria in the cheese. Emmental is often used in sandwiches and is a key ingredient in traditional Swiss fondue.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Emmental Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Emmental Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Emmental Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Emmental Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Emmental Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | — | Emmental, Canton Of Bern |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard or medium-hard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 4 months to over 1 year |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Nutty, sweet |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Emmental Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | Dijon Mustard |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Emmental Cheese
Blue Cheese
Emmental Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Emmental Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet character. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Emmental Cheese leans toward characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Emmental Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Emmental Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard or medium-hard. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Emmental Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a hard or medium-hard profile, Emmental Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Emmental Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Emmental Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Emmental Cheese comes from Switzerland. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Emmental Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Emmental Cheese 4 months to over 1 year.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Emmental Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Emmental Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Emmental Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Emmental Cheese is nutty, sweet.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
What is Emmental Cheese made of?
Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to over 1 year. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Emmental Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Emmental Cheese.