Blue Cheese vs Dunlop Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Dunlop Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Scotland.
What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.
What Is Dunlop Cheese?
Dunlop is a sweet-milk cheese from Dunlop in East Ayrshire, Scotland, made from unskimmed cow's milk and close to a soft Cheddar in texture. Mild, sweet and buttery, it matures for six to twelve months and is eaten on its own or with a dram of whisky.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Dunlop Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Dunlop Cheese (Scotland)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Dunlop Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Dunlop Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Dunlop Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Dunlop Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Dunlop Cheese (6 to 12 months)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Dunlop Cheese (buttery, nutty, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Dunlop Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Scotland |
| Specific Origin | — | Dunlop, East Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 6 to 12 months |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Buttery, nutty, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Dunlop Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Dunlop Cheese brings buttery, nutty, sweet character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Dunlop Cheese's light, elegant fragrance. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Dunlop Cheese leans toward mild, sweet and buttery-tasting. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Dunlop Cheese at 6 to 12 months.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Dunlop Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Dunlop 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Dunlop Cheese brings buttery, nutty, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Dunlop 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 hard profile, Dunlop Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Dunlop Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, nutty, sweet.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Dunlop Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Dunlop Cheese comes from Scotland. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Dunlop Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Dunlop Cheese 6 to 12 months.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Dunlop Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Dunlop Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Dunlop Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Dunlop Cheese is buttery, nutty, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Dunlop Cheese is closer to light, elegant fragrance.
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 Dunlop Cheese made of?
Dunlop Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 12 months. It originates in Scotland.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Dunlop Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Dunlop Cheese is hard.