Danish Blue Cheese vs Havarti Cheese

Danish Blue Cheese is a semi-soft, blue-veined cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Havarti Cheese is smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Denmark.

What Is Danish Blue Cheese?

Danablu, sold as Danish Blue Cheese in North America, is a semi-soft blue-veined cheese made from full fat cow's milk and homogenized cream. It is known for its sharp, salty taste and its EU protected status, which limits production to approved Danish dairies.

What Is Havarti Cheese?

Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.

What's the Difference Between Danish Blue Cheese and Havarti Cheese?

• Texture: Danish Blue Cheese (Semi-soft, Blue-veined), Havarti Cheese (Smooth)
• Rind: Danish Blue Cheese (edible, slightly moist), Havarti Cheese (rindless)
• Aging: Danish Blue Cheese (8 to 12 weeks), Havarti Cheese (about 3 months)
• Taste: Danish Blue Cheese (Salty, tangy), Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Danish Blue Cheese Taste Like Havarti Cheese?

Danish Blue Cheese reads as salty, tangy, while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery character. Aging plays into this as well. Danish Blue Cheese at 8 to 12 weeks develops a different profile than Havarti Cheese at about 3 months.

Can You Substitute Danish Blue Cheese for Havarti Cheese?

In most recipes, Danish Blue Cheese and Havarti Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft, blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth. Flavor-wise, Danish Blue Cheese reads as salty, tangy while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Danish Blue Cheese or Havarti Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, blue-veined cheese, go with Danish Blue Cheese. For a smooth profile, Havarti Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Danish Blue Cheese suits recipes that want salty, tangy notes, while Havarti Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Danish Blue Cheese the same as Havarti Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Danish Blue Cheese is typically aged 8 to 12 weeks, Havarti Cheese about 3 months.

Is Danish Blue Cheese similar to Havarti Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Danish Blue Cheese for Havarti Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Danish Blue Cheese taste like Havarti Cheese?

Danish Blue Cheese reads as salty, tangy, while Havarti Cheese is mild, buttery.

What is Danish Blue Cheese made of?

Danish Blue Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 8 to 12 weeks. It originates in Denmark.

What is Havarti Cheese made of?

Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.

Which should I choose, Danish Blue Cheese or Havarti Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Danish Blue Cheese is semi-soft, blue-veined, while Havarti Cheese is smooth.