Bresse Bleu Cheese vs Feta Cheese

Bresse Bleu Cheese is a soft, blue-veined cow-milk cheese from France, while Feta Cheese is soft and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Bresse Bleu Cheese?

Bresse Bleu, or Bleu de Bresse, is a French blue cheese from the Bresse area, first made after World War II. It is known for its firm white edible coating that smells of mushrooms and a creamy Brie-like interior flecked with blue mould.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.

What's the Difference Between Bresse Bleu Cheese and Feta Cheese?

• Origin: Bresse Bleu Cheese (France), Feta Cheese (Greece)
• Milk type: Bresse Bleu Cheese (Cow's milk), Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Bresse Bleu Cheese (pasteurized), Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw)
• Texture: Bresse Bleu Cheese (Soft, blue-veined), Feta Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Bresse Bleu Cheese (firm, edible white coating of Penicillium camemberti), Feta Cheese (None)
• Taste: Bresse Bleu Cheese (creamy), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bresse Bleu Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?

Bresse Bleu Cheese reads as creamy, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild character. On the nose, Bresse Bleu Cheese offers milky, mushroom, contrasted with Feta Cheese's ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt.

Can You Substitute Bresse Bleu Cheese for Feta Cheese?

Bresse Bleu Cheese can stand in for Feta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Bresse Bleu Cheese reads as creamy while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.

Which Is Better, Bresse Bleu Cheese or Feta Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, blue-veined cheese, go with Bresse Bleu Cheese. For a soft profile, Feta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bresse Bleu Cheese suits recipes that want creamy notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bresse Bleu Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bresse Bleu Cheese originates in France, while Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Bresse Bleu Cheese is made from cow milk; Feta Cheese uses goat or sheep.

Is Bresse Bleu Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bresse Bleu Cheese for Feta Cheese?

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

Does Bresse Bleu Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?

Bresse Bleu Cheese reads as creamy, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild. Aromas also diverge. Bresse Bleu Cheese leans milky, mushroom, and Feta Cheese is closer to ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt.

What is Bresse Bleu Cheese made of?

Bresse Bleu Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in France.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Bresse Bleu Cheese or Feta Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bresse Bleu Cheese is soft, blue-veined, while Feta Cheese is soft.