Dorset Blue Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Dorset Blue Cheese is a firm cow-milk cheese, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Is Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Dorset Blue Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Dorset Blue Cheese (Skimmed), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Dorset Blue Cheese (Firm), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Dorset Blue Cheese (Rough, dry brown mold coating), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Dorset Blue Cheese (12 to 20 weeks), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Dorset Blue Cheese (Piquant, peppery, mild to strong), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Dorset Blue Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Dorset Blue Cheese reads as piquant, peppery, mild to strong, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Dorset Blue Cheese shows piquant like other blue cheeses, not excessively strong, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Dorset Blue Cheese at 12 to 20 weeks develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Dorset Blue Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Dorset Blue Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Dorset Blue Cheese reads as piquant, peppery, mild to strong while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Dorset Blue Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm cheese, go with Dorset Blue Cheese. For a soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Dorset Blue Cheese suits recipes that want piquant, peppery, mild to strong notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dorset Blue Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Dorset Blue Cheese is typically aged 12 to 20 weeks, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Dorset Blue Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Dorset Blue Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Dorset Blue Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Dorset Blue Cheese reads as piquant, peppery, mild to strong, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

What is Dorset Blue Cheese made of?

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

What is Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Dorset Blue Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Dorset Blue Cheese is firm, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.