Blue Cheese vs Bresse Bleu Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Bresse Bleu Cheese is soft, blue-veined and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What Is Bresse Bleu Cheese?
Bresse Bleu is a soft, blue-veined cheese from France made from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a creamy flavor and its texture is smooth and spreadable. The aroma is a pleasant mix of milky and mushroom notes, which adds to its appeal. The cheese has a white color, typical of soft blue cheeses, and is sometimes referred to as Bleu de Bresse. It's often enjoyed on a cheese platter or spread on bread, making it a popular choice for those who appreciate a mild, creamy blue cheese.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Bresse Bleu Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Bresse Bleu Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Bresse Bleu Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Bresse Bleu Cheese (soft, blue-veined)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Bresse Bleu Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Bresse Bleu Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft, blue-veined |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Creamy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Bresse Bleu Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | — |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Bresse Bleu Cheese
Blue Cheese
Bresse Bleu Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Bresse Bleu Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Bresse Bleu Cheese brings creamy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Bresse Bleu Cheese's milky, mushroom.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Bresse Bleu Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Bresse Bleu 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, blue-veined. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Bresse Bleu Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Bresse Bleu 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, blue-veined profile, Bresse Bleu Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Bresse Bleu Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Bresse Bleu Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Bresse Bleu Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Bresse Bleu Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Bresse Bleu Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Bresse Bleu Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Bresse Bleu Cheese is creamy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Bresse Bleu Cheese is closer to milky, mushroom.
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 Bresse Bleu Cheese made of?
Bresse Bleu Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Bresse Bleu Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Bresse Bleu Cheese is soft, blue-veined.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Bresse Bleu Cheese.