Blue Cheese vs Parrano Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Parrano Cheese is hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.
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 Parrano Cheese?
Parrano is a Dutch cow's milk cheese aged five months, mild and nutty with salty and sweet notes. It is technically a Gouda but sold as an Italian-style cheese, and it shreds, slices and melts easily.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Parrano Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Parrano Cheese (Netherlands)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Parrano Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Parrano Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Parrano Cheese (hard, artisan)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Parrano Cheese (plastic)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Parrano Cheese (5 months)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Parrano Cheese (mild, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Parrano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | — | The Netherlands |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Plastic |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 5 months |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Mild, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Parrano Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Parrano Cheese brings mild, nutty character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Parrano Cheese's sweet. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Parrano Cheese leans toward salty and sweet, similar to aged parmesan. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Parrano Cheese at 5 months.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Parrano Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Parrano 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, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Parrano Cheese brings mild, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Parrano 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, artisan profile, Parrano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Parrano Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Parrano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Parrano Cheese comes from Netherlands. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Parrano Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Parrano Cheese 5 months.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Parrano Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Parrano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Parrano Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Parrano Cheese is mild, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Parrano Cheese is closer to 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 Parrano Cheese made of?
Parrano Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 5 months. It originates in Netherlands.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Parrano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Parrano Cheese is hard, artisan.