Blue Cheese vs Saint André Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Saint André Cheese is soft, soft-ripened and made from cow 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 Saint André Cheese?
Saint-André is a French triple cream cow's milk cheese from Normandy, sold as a small 200 g (7.1 oz) cylinder under a powdery white bloomy rind. Cream added during making takes its fat content to around 75 percent, and it tastes like Brie turned up.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Saint André Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Saint André Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Saint André Cheese (soft, soft-ripened)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Saint André Cheese (bloomy)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Saint André Cheese (about 30 days)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Saint André Cheese (buttery, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Saint André Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Normandy, France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | — |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft, soft-ripened |
| Rind | Natural | Bloomy |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | About 30 days |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Buttery, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Saint André Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Saint André Cheese brings buttery, tangy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Saint André Cheese's rich. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Saint André Cheese leans toward like an intense version of brie, with a tangy edible rind. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Saint André Cheese at about 30 days.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Saint André Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Saint André 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 soft, soft-ripened. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Saint André Cheese brings buttery, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Saint André 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 soft, soft-ripened profile, Saint André Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Saint André Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, tangy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Saint André Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Saint André Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Saint André Cheese about 30 days.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Saint André Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Saint André Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Saint André Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Saint André Cheese is buttery, tangy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Saint André Cheese is closer to rich.
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 Saint André Cheese made of?
Saint André Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged about 30 days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Saint André Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Saint André Cheese is soft, soft-ripened.