Caerphilly Cheese vs Dorset Blue Cheese

Caerphilly Cheese is a tri-layered: brie-like to dense core cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom and Wales, while Dorset Blue Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.

What Is Caerphilly Cheese?

Caerphilly is a white, crumbly cow's milk cheese from the area around the town of Caerphilly in Wales, first made on farms to feed local coal miners. It has a mild taste with a tang of lemon and ripens in as little as two weeks.

What Is Dorset Blue Cheese?

Dorset Blue is an English cow's milk blue cheese protected by a European designation of origin. Also sold as Dorset Blue Vinney, it is known for moderate blue veining and a piquant flavor that stops short of being strong.

What's the Difference Between Caerphilly Cheese and Dorset Blue Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Caerphilly Cheese (unpasteurized), Dorset Blue Cheese (Skimmed)
• Texture: Caerphilly Cheese (Tri-layered: Brie-like to dense core), Dorset Blue Cheese (Firm)
• Rind: Caerphilly Cheese (Mottled gray-white), Dorset Blue Cheese (Rough, dry brown mold coating)
• Aging: Caerphilly Cheese (from 2 weeks), Dorset Blue Cheese (12 to 20 weeks)
• Taste: Caerphilly Cheese (Earthy, barnyard, lemony), Dorset Blue Cheese (Piquant, peppery, mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Caerphilly Cheese Taste Like Dorset Blue Cheese?

Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony, while Dorset Blue Cheese brings piquant, peppery, mild to strong character. More specifically, Caerphilly Cheese shows rind: earthy, mineral. beneath: barnyard, mushrooms. core: bright, lemony, clean, while Dorset Blue Cheese leans toward piquant like other blue cheeses, not excessively strong. Aging plays into this as well. Caerphilly Cheese at from 2 weeks develops a different profile than Dorset Blue Cheese at 12 to 20 weeks.

Can You Substitute Caerphilly Cheese for Dorset Blue Cheese?

In most recipes, Caerphilly Cheese and Dorset Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect tri-layered: brie-like to dense core bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony while Dorset Blue Cheese brings piquant, peppery, mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Caerphilly Cheese or Dorset Blue Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a tri-layered: brie-like to dense core cheese, go with Caerphilly Cheese. For a firm profile, Dorset Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caerphilly Cheese suits recipes that want earthy, barnyard, lemony notes, while Dorset Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for piquant, peppery, mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caerphilly Cheese the same as Dorset Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Caerphilly Cheese is typically aged from 2 weeks, Dorset Blue Cheese 12 to 20 weeks.

Is Caerphilly Cheese similar to Dorset Blue Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Caerphilly Cheese for Dorset Blue Cheese?

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

Does Caerphilly Cheese taste like Dorset Blue Cheese?

Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony, while Dorset Blue Cheese is piquant, peppery, mild to strong.

What is Caerphilly Cheese made of?

Caerphilly Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged from 2 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom and Wales.

What is Dorset Blue Cheese made of?

Dorset Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed). It's typically aged 12 to 20 weeks.

Which should I choose, Caerphilly Cheese or Dorset Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caerphilly Cheese is tri-layered: brie-like to dense core, while Dorset Blue Cheese is firm.