Blue Cheese vs Coulommiers Cheese
Blue Cheese
Coulommiers Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Coulommiers Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
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 Coulommiers Cheese?
Coulommiers is a soft cheese from the Brie region of France, similar to Brie but smaller in size. It has a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavor that becomes more earthy and complex as it ripens. The cheese is encased in an edible white mold rind that helps to mature the cheese from the outside in.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Coulommiers Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Coulommiers Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Coulommiers Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Coulommiers Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Coulommiers Cheese (White Penicillium candidum)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Coulommiers Cheese (4-8 weeks)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Coulommiers Cheese (Fresh, creamy to fine, stronger)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Coulommiers Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Seine-Et-Marne, Brie |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | White Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 4-8 weeks |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Fresh, creamy to fine, stronger |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Coulommiers 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?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Blue Cheese and Coulommiers Cheese
Blue Cheese
Coulommiers Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Coulommiers Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Coulommiers Cheese brings fresh, creamy to fine, stronger character. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Coulommiers Cheese leans toward factory-made: fresh, creamy, firm. artisanal: more distinctive, reddish blush on rind, finer flavor, readiness to run, matured 5-8 weeks.. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Coulommiers Cheese at 4-8 weeks.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Coulommiers Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Coulommiers 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Coulommiers Cheese brings fresh, creamy to fine, stronger notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Coulommiers 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 soft profile, Coulommiers Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Coulommiers Cheese fits dishes calling for fresh, creamy to fine, stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Coulommiers Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Coulommiers Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Coulommiers Cheese 4-8 weeks.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Coulommiers Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Coulommiers Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Coulommiers Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Coulommiers Cheese is fresh, creamy to fine, stronger.
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 Coulommiers Cheese made of?
Coulommiers Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-8 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Coulommiers Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Coulommiers Cheese is soft.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Coulommiers Cheese.