Colby Cheese vs Exmoor Blue Cheese
Colby Cheese is a slightly curdy, softer cow-milk cheese from United States, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk.
What Is Colby Cheese?
Colby is an American cheese that originated in Colby, Wisconsin. It is similar to cheddar but is softer, moister, and milder in flavor. Colby is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic texture with a creamy, mild flavor that makes it popular in cheeseburgers and sandwiches.
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 Colby Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Colby Cheese (Pasteurized), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized)
- Texture: Colby Cheese (Slightly curdy, softer), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Colby Cheese (None), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum)
- Aging: Colby Cheese (< 3 months), Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Colby Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | — |
| Specific Origin | Colby, Wisconsin | Devon And Somerset, England |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Slightly curdy, softer | Soft |
| Rind | None | Treated with Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | < 3 months | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Mild, milky | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Colby Cheese Taste Like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Colby Cheese at < 3 months develops a different profile than Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Colby Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Colby Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect slightly curdy, softer bite and body where the recipe calls for soft.
Which Is Better, Colby Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a slightly curdy, softer cheese, go with Colby Cheese. For a soft profile, Exmoor Blue Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colby Cheese the same as Exmoor Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Colby Cheese is typically aged < 3 months, Exmoor Blue Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Colby Cheese similar to Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Colby Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Colby 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 Colby Cheese made of?
Colby Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged < 3 months. It originates in United States.
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, Colby Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Colby Cheese is slightly curdy, softer, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft.