Blue Cheese vs Stawley Cheese

Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Stawley Cheese is soft and made from goat milk, originating in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

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 Stawley Cheese?

Stawley is a soft cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Somerset, England. It has a pale yellow color and a mold-ripened rind that contributes to its unique aroma of mushroom and nutty scents. The flavor profile of Stawley includes notes of caramel, floral, milky, and sweet, creating a pleasant and balanced taste experience. Its soft texture makes it easy to spread or enjoy on its own. Ideal for cheese boards, it pairs well with fresh bread or a light wine. This cheese reflects the traditional methods and quality of the region's cheesemaking.

What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Stawley Cheese?

• Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Stawley Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Stawley Cheese (goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Stawley Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Stawley Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Stawley Cheese (mold ripened)
• Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Stawley Cheese (caramel, floral, milky, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Stawley Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Stawley Cheese brings caramel, floral, milky, sweet character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Stawley Cheese's mushroom, nutty.

Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Stawley Cheese?

Blue Cheese can stand in for Stawley 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. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Stawley Cheese brings caramel, floral, milky, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Stawley 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 profile, Stawley Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Stawley Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, floral, milky, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Cheese the same as Stawley Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Stawley Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Stawley Cheese uses goat.

Is Blue Cheese similar to Stawley Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Stawley Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Blue Cheese taste like Stawley Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Stawley Cheese is caramel, floral, milky, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Stawley Cheese is closer to mushroom, nutty.

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 Stawley Cheese made of?

Stawley Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Stawley Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Stawley Cheese is soft.