Charolais Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Charolais Cheese is a semi-soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Charolais Cheese?

Charolais is a raw goat's milk cheese from the Charolais and Brionnais hills of Burgundy, France. It is one of the largest goat cheeses, sold as a tall barrel-shaped round of 250 to 310 grams, and has carried PDO status since 2014.

What Is Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

What's the Difference Between Charolais Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?

• Milk type: Charolais Cheese (goat's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Charolais Cheese (semi-soft), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
• Rind: Charolais Cheese (Bloomy, slightly wrinkled), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Charolais Cheese (Minimum of 16 days), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Charolais Cheese (acidic, salty, sweet), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Charolais Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Charolais Cheese offers subtle, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. Aging plays into this as well. Charolais Cheese at minimum of 16 days develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Charolais Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

Charolais Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Charolais Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Charolais Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Charolais Cheese suits recipes that want acidic, salty, sweet notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charolais Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Charolais Cheese is made from goat milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Charolais Cheese is typically aged minimum of 16 days, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Charolais Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Charolais Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

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

Does Charolais Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Charolais Cheese reads as acidic, salty, sweet, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong. Aromas also diverge. Charolais Cheese leans subtle, and Roquefort Cheese is closer to sweet.

What is Charolais Cheese made of?

Charolais Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 16 days. 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, Charolais Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Charolais Cheese is semi-soft, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.