Blue Cheese vs Cream Havarti Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Cream Havarti Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Denmark.
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 Cream Havarti Cheese?
Cream Havarti is a semi-soft cheese from Denmark, made with pasteurized cow's milk. Known for its creamy and smooth texture, it has a flavor profile that is buttery, creamy, and sweet. The cheese emits a sweet aroma that complements its mild taste, making it a popular choice for cheese boards or sandwiches. It is also referred to as Havarathi, Flødeis Havarti, or Smoked Havarti when variations are smoked to add a different flavor depth. Cream Havarti pairs well with fruits like apples or pears and can be melted in dishes for a rich, savory experience. Its approachable flavor makes it suitable for a wide range of culinary applications.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Cream Havarti Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Cream Havarti Cheese (Denmark)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Cream Havarti Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Cream Havarti Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Cream Havarti Cheese (semi-soft)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Cream Havarti Cheese (buttery, creamy, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Cream Havarti Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Denmark |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Buttery, creamy, sweet |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Cream Havarti 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 | — |
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Cream Havarti Cheese
Blue Cheese
Cream Havarti Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Cream Havarti Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Cream Havarti Cheese brings buttery, creamy, sweet character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Cream Havarti Cheese's sweet.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Cream Havarti Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Cream Havarti 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 semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Cream Havarti Cheese brings buttery, creamy, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Cream Havarti 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 semi-soft profile, Cream Havarti Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Cream Havarti Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, creamy, sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Cream Havarti Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Cream Havarti Cheese comes from Denmark. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Cream Havarti Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Cream Havarti Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Cream Havarti Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Cream Havarti Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Cream Havarti Cheese is buttery, creamy, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Cream Havarti Cheese is closer to sweet.
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 Cream Havarti Cheese made of?
Cream Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in Denmark.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Cream Havarti Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Cream Havarti Cheese is semi-soft.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Cream Havarti Cheese.