Exmoor Blue Cheese vs Grana Padano Cheese

Exmoor Blue Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese, while Grana Padano Cheese is crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Is Grana Padano Cheese?

Grana Padano is a hard, grainy cheese from Italy's Po Valley, made with semi-skimmed unpasteurized cow's milk and ripened at least nine months. It is made much like Parmesan but under looser rules, and young wheels taste milder and less crumbly.

What's the Difference Between Exmoor Blue Cheese and Grana Padano Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized), Grana Padano Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft), Grana Padano Cheese (Crumbly)
• Rind: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum), Grana Padano Cheese (thin, pale yellow)
• Aging: Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks), Grana Padano Cheese (9–16 months+)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Exmoor Blue Cheese Taste Like Grana Padano Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks develops a different profile than Grana Padano Cheese at 9–16 months+.

Can You Substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Grana Padano Cheese?

In most recipes, Exmoor Blue Cheese and Grana Padano Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for crumbly.

Which Is Better, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Grana Padano Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Exmoor Blue Cheese. For a crumbly profile, Grana Padano Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Exmoor Blue Cheese the same as Grana Padano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Exmoor Blue Cheese is typically aged 3 to 6 weeks, Grana Padano Cheese 9–16 months+.

Is Exmoor Blue Cheese similar to Grana Padano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Grana Padano Cheese?

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

Does Exmoor Blue Cheese taste like Grana Padano Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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.

What is Grana Padano Cheese made of?

Grana Padano Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 9–16 months+. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Grana Padano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft, while Grana Padano Cheese is crumbly.