Blue Cheese vs Exmoor Blue Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What Is Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a full-fat soft blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurized Jersey cow’s milk in Devon and Somerset, England. It has a rich yellow color and a buttery texture, with an average fat content of 34%. The cheese has been handmade on Willet Farm since 1986, using traditional methods. It undergoes a maturation period of 3 to 6 weeks, during which it is regularly turned and treated with Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium candidum to develop its distinctive blue veining. The lush pasture of the region, influenced by the warm, wet climate and red sandstone soil, contributes to the rich flavor of the milk used in production.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Cow)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | — | Devon And Somerset, England |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | Treated with Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | — |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | — |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese
Blue Cheese
Exmoor Blue Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Exmoor Blue 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 soft.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Exmoor Blue 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 soft profile, Exmoor Blue Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Exmoor Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Exmoor Blue Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Exmoor Blue Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Exmoor Blue Cheese made of?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese.