Blue Cheese vs Soumaintrain Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Soumaintrain Cheese is soft, artisan 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 Soumaintrain Cheese?
Soumaintrain is a soft washed-rind cow's milk cheese from Burgundy, made with raw or pasteurized milk. Brine washing every few days builds an orange rind and a very pronounced flavor.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Soumaintrain Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Soumaintrain Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Soumaintrain Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Soumaintrain Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Soumaintrain Cheese (washed)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Soumaintrain Cheese (at least 21 days)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Soumaintrain Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Soumaintrain Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Burgundy (Côte-D'Or And Yonne) And Aube, France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Washed |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | At least 21 days |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Soumaintrain Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Soumaintrain Cheese brings creamy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Soumaintrain Cheese's rich. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Soumaintrain Cheese leans toward characteristic and very pronounced. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Soumaintrain Cheese at at least 21 days.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Soumaintrain Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Soumaintrain 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, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Soumaintrain Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Soumaintrain 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, artisan profile, Soumaintrain Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Soumaintrain Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Soumaintrain Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Soumaintrain Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Soumaintrain Cheese at least 21 days.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Soumaintrain Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Soumaintrain Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Soumaintrain Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Soumaintrain Cheese is creamy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Soumaintrain 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 Soumaintrain Cheese made of?
Soumaintrain Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 21 days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Soumaintrain Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Soumaintrain Cheese is soft, artisan.