Dorset Blue Cheese vs Sfela Cheese

Dorset Blue Cheese is a firm cow-milk cheese, while Sfela Cheese is semi-hard and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Dorset Blue Cheese?

Dorset Blue Cheese is a lightly pressed, firm-textured blue cheese made in Dorset, England. It has a uniform color with irregular blue-green veining and a rough, dry brown mold coating. The cheese has a piquant, peppery flavor that ranges from mild to strong. Made using skimmed cow’s milk, the tradition of using lower-fat milk dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when it was made from residual milk left after cream skimming. The production process includes hand-breaking curds, salting, light pressing, and maturing for 12 to 20 weeks. The cheese is pierced after four weeks to develop its signature blue veining. Dorset’s lush pasture, supported by Oxford clay soil, contributes to the unique flavor of the milk used in the cheese.

What Is Sfela Cheese?

Sfela is a semi-hard cheese from the Peloponnese region of Greece. Made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat milk, it is often fried due to its high melting point. Sfela has a salty, tangy flavor, making it a popular choice for traditional Greek fried cheese dishes.

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

• Milk type: Dorset Blue Cheese (Cow), Sfela Cheese (Raw sheep’s milk or combination with goat’s milk)
• Milk treatment: Dorset Blue Cheese (Skimmed), Sfela Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Dorset Blue Cheese (Firm), Sfela Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Taste: Dorset Blue Cheese (Piquant, peppery, mild to strong), Sfela Cheese (Unique personality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Dorset Blue Cheese reads as piquant, peppery, mild to strong, while Sfela Cheese brings unique personality character.

Can You Substitute Dorset Blue Cheese for Sfela Cheese?

Dorset Blue Cheese can stand in for Sfela Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect firm bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Dorset Blue Cheese reads as piquant, peppery, mild to strong while Sfela Cheese brings unique personality notes.

Which Is Better, Dorset Blue Cheese or Sfela 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 semi-hard profile, Sfela Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Dorset Blue Cheese suits recipes that want piquant, peppery, mild to strong notes, while Sfela Cheese fits dishes calling for unique personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dorset Blue Cheese the same as Sfela Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Dorset Blue Cheese is made from cow milk; Sfela Cheese uses goat or sheep.

Is Dorset Blue Cheese similar to Sfela Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Dorset Blue Cheese for Sfela Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Dorset Blue Cheese taste like Sfela Cheese?

Dorset Blue Cheese reads as piquant, peppery, mild to strong, while Sfela Cheese is unique personality.

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 Sfela Cheese made of?

Sfela Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using traditional rennet. It originates in Greece.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Dorset Blue Cheese is firm, while Sfela Cheese is semi-hard.