Blue Cheese vs Fleur du Maquis Cheese

Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Fleur du Maquis Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.

What Is Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

Fleur du Maquis, also sold as Brin d'amour, is a Corsican raw sheep's milk cheese created in the 1950s. Its natural rind is dusted with maquis herbs, which the paste absorbs as it ages.

What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

• Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Fleur du Maquis Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Fleur du Maquis Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Fleur du Maquis Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Fleur du Maquis Cheese (natural, coated in maquis herbs)
• Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Fleur du Maquis Cheese (1 to 3 months)
• Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Fleur du Maquis Cheese (citrusy, mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Fleur du Maquis Cheese brings citrusy, mild character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Fleur du Maquis Cheese's herbal. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Fleur du Maquis Cheese at 1 to 3 months.

Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

Blue Cheese can stand in for Fleur du Maquis 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 semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Fleur du Maquis Cheese brings citrusy, mild notes.

Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Fleur du Maquis 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 semi-soft, artisan profile, Fleur du Maquis Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Fleur du Maquis Cheese fits dishes calling for citrusy, mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Cheese the same as Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Fleur du Maquis Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Fleur du Maquis Cheese 1 to 3 months.

Is Blue Cheese similar to Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

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

Does Blue Cheese taste like Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Fleur du Maquis Cheese is citrusy, mild. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Fleur du Maquis Cheese is closer to herbal.

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 Fleur du Maquis Cheese made of?

Fleur du Maquis Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged 1 to 3 months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Fleur du Maquis Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Fleur du Maquis Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.