Blue Cheese vs Geitost Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Geitost Cheese is semi-hard, whey and made from cow and goat milk, originating in Norway.
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 Geitost Cheese?
Geitost is the Norwegian brown whey cheese made with goat's milk in the mix. Boiling milk, cream and whey caramelizes the milk sugars, which gives it a deep brown color and a sweet, caramel taste with a tang behind it.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Geitost Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Geitost Cheese (Norway)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Geitost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Geitost Cheese (semi-hard, whey)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Geitost Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Geitost Cheese (not aged)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Geitost Cheese (burnt caramel, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Geitost Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Norway |
| Specific Origin | — | Norway |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's and goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | — |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Semi-hard, whey |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | Not aged |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Burnt caramel, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Geitost Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Geitost Cheese brings burnt caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Geitost Cheese's caramel. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Geitost Cheese leans toward sweet and caramel-like, with a tang that is sharper in the goat's milk versions. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Geitost Cheese at not aged.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Geitost Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Geitost 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-hard, whey. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Geitost Cheese brings burnt caramel, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Geitost 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-hard, whey profile, Geitost Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Geitost Cheese fits dishes calling for burnt caramel, sweet.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Geitost Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Geitost Cheese comes from Norway. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Geitost Cheese uses cow and goat. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Geitost Cheese not aged.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Geitost Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Geitost Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Geitost Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Geitost Cheese is burnt caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Geitost Cheese is closer to caramel.
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 Geitost Cheese made of?
Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk. It's typically aged not aged. It originates in Norway.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Geitost Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Geitost Cheese is semi-hard, whey.