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Blue Cheese vs Iberico Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Blue Cheese and Iberico Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Blue Cheese and Iberico Cheese?"
- "Is Blue Cheese and Iberico Cheese the same?"
- "How does Blue Cheese compare to Iberico Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Blue Cheese compare to Iberico Cheese?"
- "Is Blue Cheese or Iberico 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.
Iberico Cheese Overview
Queso Iberico is a hard cheese from Spain made using a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk. It can be crafted from either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, contributing to its rich and aromatic profile. This cheese has a buttery and nutty flavor with a strong taste that captures the essence of its mixed milk origins. The cheese is typically white in color and features a natural rind. Known also as Iberico Cheese, it offers a satisfying density and a complex taste that pairs well with a variety of foods. Its rich aroma and firm texture make it a popular choice for cheese lovers seeking a traditional Spanish flavor.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Blue Cheese comes from France. Iberico Cheese originated from Spain.
Milk Type and Treatment
Blue Cheese is made with cow, goat, or sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Iberico Cheese is made with cow, goat, and sheep milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.
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". Iberico's texture can be described as "hard".
Taste and Aroma
Blue Cheese has a sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent taste. Blue's aroma can be described as "strong, pungent, earthy, funky". Iberico Cheese has a buttery, nutty, strong taste. Iberico's aroma can be described as "aromatic, rich".
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 . Iberico Cheese has a color of white .
Rind and Rennet Type
Blue Cheese's rind is described as natural and uses traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. Iberico Cheese's rind is described as natural .
Ranking
Blue is ranked #3 out of 996 types based on community views. Iberico is ranked #89 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Blue | Iberico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vinho Verde |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Blue and Iberico pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Blue Cheese | Iberico Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Fat Content | Around 25-35% | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | Around 30-50% | Not Specified |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Buttery, nutty, strong |
| Aroma | Strong, Pungent, Earthy, Funky | Aromatic, rich |
| Colors | White to Creamy Yellow base with Blue-Green Veining | White |
| Forms | Wheel, Block, Wedge, Crumbles | Not Specified |
| Age | Typically aged 2-6 months | Not Specified |
| 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 hard consistency, Iberico might be the better pick. Blue has a sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Iberico offers a buttery, nutty, strong profile, ideal for different meals.
