Comté Cheese vs Strathdon Blue Cheese
Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Strathdon Blue Cheese is semi-soft, blue-veined and made from cow milk, originating in Scotland.
What Is Comté Cheese?
Comté is a hard cheese from eastern France, made daily from raw cow's milk in village dairies called fruitières. It holds PDO status, has the largest production of any French PDO cheese, and tastes mild, nutty, salty and slightly sweet.
What Is Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Strathdon Blue is a full-fat blue cheese made in Tain, Scotland, by Highland Fine Cheeses. It is made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet, tastes tangy, and won a gold medal at the 2007 British Cheese Awards.
What's the Difference Between Comté Cheese and Strathdon Blue Cheese?
- Origin: Comté Cheese (France), Strathdon Blue Cheese (Scotland)
- Milk treatment: Comté Cheese (Raw), Strathdon Blue Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Strathdon Blue Cheese (semi-soft, blue-veined)
- Taste: Comté Cheese (Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted), Strathdon Blue Cheese (creamy, salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Comté Cheese | Strathdon Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Scotland |
| Specific Origin | Massif Du Jura | Tain, Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow's Milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Smooth; Semi-hard | Semi-soft, blue-veined |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 4 months to 3 years | — |
| Taste | Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted | Creamy, salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Strathdon Blue Cheese brings creamy, salty character. More specifically, Comté Cheese shows nutty, creamy, sweet through more meaty and roasted flavors, smooth texture, range of ages from 4 months to 3 years, while Strathdon Blue Cheese leans toward tangy.
Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Strathdon Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Comté Cheese and Strathdon Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth; semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, blue-veined. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted while Strathdon Blue Cheese brings creamy, salty notes.
Which Is Better, Comté Cheese or Strathdon Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go with Comté Cheese. For a semi-soft, blue-veined profile, Strathdon Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Comté Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted notes, while Strathdon Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy, salty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Comté Cheese the same as Strathdon Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Comté Cheese originates in France, while Strathdon Blue Cheese comes from Scotland.
Is Comté Cheese similar to Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Strathdon Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Comté Cheese taste like Strathdon Blue Cheese?
Comté Cheese reads as nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted, while Strathdon Blue Cheese is creamy, salty.
What is Comté Cheese made of?
Comté Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to 3 years. It originates in France.
What is Strathdon Blue Cheese made of?
Strathdon Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It originates in Scotland.
Which should I choose, Comté Cheese or Strathdon Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Strathdon Blue Cheese is semi-soft, blue-veined.