Blue Cheese vs Brunost Cheese
Blue Cheese
Brunost Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey and made from cow and goat milk, originating in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
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 Brunost Cheese?
Brunost, or "brown cheese," is a distinctly Norwegian dairy product, often classified as a cheese, though it differs from traditional cheeses. It is made by boiling down the whey of goat's milk, cow's milk, or a combination of both, until the water evaporates, and the natural milk sugars caramelize. This process gives Brunost its unique brown color, sweet caramel-like flavor, and fudge-like texture. It is commonly sliced thin and served on bread, crispbreads, or waffles.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Brunost Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Brunost Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Brunost Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway And Sweden |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's and goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Semi-soft, whey |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Caramel, sweet |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Brunost 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 Brunost Cheese
Blue Cheese
Brunost Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Brunost Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brunost Cheese brings caramel, sweet character.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Brunost Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Brunost 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 semi-soft, whey. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Brunost Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Brunost 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 semi-soft, whey profile, Brunost Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Brunost Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Brunost Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Brunost Cheese comes from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Brunost Cheese uses cow and goat.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Brunost Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Brunost Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Brunost Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brunost Cheese is caramel, sweet.
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 Brunost Cheese made of?
Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Brunost Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Brunost Cheese.