Blue Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese

Q: Is Blue Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

No. Blue Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Blue Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Blue Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.

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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.

What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (raw)
Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Blue Cheese	West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Country of Origin	France	—
Specific Origin	—	Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall
Milk Type	Cow, Sheep, Goat	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or Raw	Raw
Texture	Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft	Firm
Rind	Natural	Cloth-wrapped
Aging	Typically aged 2-6 months	Minimum 9 months
Taste	Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent	Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness

Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.

Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Blue Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.

Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.

Is Blue Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Blue Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Blue Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.

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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.

Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.