Brocciu Cheese vs Exmoor Blue Cheese
Brocciu Cheese is a soft, creamy goat or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk.
What Is Brocciu Cheese?
Brocciu is a Corsican cheese made from either sheep's or goat's milk whey, with some milk added. It is similar to ricotta but richer. Brocciu can be consumed fresh or used in various Corsican dishes, including desserts and savory pastries. It is appreciated for its light, creamy texture and mild, fresh flavor.
What Is Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a full-fat soft blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurized Jersey cow’s milk in Devon and Somerset, England. It has a rich yellow color and a buttery texture, with an average fat content of 34%. The cheese has been handmade on Willet Farm since 1986, using traditional methods. It undergoes a maturation period of 3 to 6 weeks, during which it is regularly turned and treated with Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium candidum to develop its distinctive blue veining. The lush pasture of the region, influenced by the warm, wet climate and red sandstone soil, contributes to the rich flavor of the milk used in production.
What's the Difference Between Brocciu Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese?
- Milk type: Brocciu Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Cow)
- Milk treatment: Brocciu Cheese (pasteurized), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized)
- Texture: Brocciu Cheese (Soft, creamy), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Brocciu Cheese (None), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum)
- Aging: Brocciu Cheese (Fresh or matured), Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brocciu Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Corsica | Devon And Somerset, England |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Soft |
| Rind | None | Treated with Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | Fresh or matured | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Meltingly creamy, saltier when matured | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Brocciu Cheese Taste Like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Brocciu Cheese at fresh or matured develops a different profile than Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Brocciu Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Brocciu Cheese can stand in for Exmoor Blue Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.
Which Is Better, Brocciu Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Brocciu Cheese. For a soft profile, Exmoor Blue Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brocciu Cheese the same as Exmoor Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Exmoor Blue Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brocciu Cheese is typically aged fresh or matured, Exmoor Blue Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Brocciu Cheese similar to Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brocciu Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brocciu Cheese taste like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Brocciu Cheese made of?
Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or matured. It originates in France.
What is Exmoor Blue Cheese made of?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks.
Which should I choose, Brocciu Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brocciu Cheese is soft, creamy, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft.