Cantal Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Cantal Cheese
Roquefort Cheese
Cantal Cheese is a firm cow-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
What Is Cantal Cheese?
Cantal is one of the oldest cheeses from France, originating from the Auvergne region. It comes in two varieties: young Cantal, which is soft and buttery, and aged Cantal, which is more robust and tangy. This firm cheese is similar to cheddar in texture and taste, and it can be used both for cooking and as a table cheese.
What Is Roquefort Cheese?
Roquefort is a famous blue cheese from the south of France, made from sheep's milk. It is known for its strong, tangy flavor and moist, crumbly texture. The cheese is ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where it develops its characteristic blue veins from the mold Penicillium roqueforti.
What's the Difference Between Cantal Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Milk type: Cantal Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cantal Cheese (Raw), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cantal Cheese (Firm), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Aging: Cantal Cheese (Jeune: 30-60 days, Entre-Deux: 90-210 days, Vieux: >8 months), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cantal Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Département Of Cantal | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Firm | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | Gray-white to golden | — |
| Aging | Jeune: 30-60 days, Entre-Deux: 90-210 days, Vieux: >8 months | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | — | Mild to strong |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Cantal Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Bordeaux |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Barleywine, Beaujolais, Madeira, Port |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Cantal Cheese and Roquefort Cheese
Cantal Cheese
Roquefort Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Cantal Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Cantal Cheese shows jeune: soft, milk-and-butter. entre-deux: balanced, intense. vieux: powerful, spicy. diversity of grasslands contributes to flavor., while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Cantal Cheese at jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.
Can You Substitute Cantal Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
Cantal Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect firm bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy.
Which Is Better, Cantal Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm cheese, go with Cantal Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cantal Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cantal Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Cantal Cheese is typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.
Is Cantal Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cantal Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cantal Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Cantal Cheese made of?
Cantal Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months. It originates in France.
What is Roquefort Cheese made of?
Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Cantal Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cantal Cheese is firm, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.
See full profiles: Cantal Cheese and Roquefort Cheese.