Exmoor Blue Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
Buy Exmoor Blue Cheese
Buy Mont d'Or Cheese
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 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 Exmoor Blue Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
- Rind: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
- Aging: Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Exmoor Blue Cheese | Mont d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Devon And Somerset, England | Jura Mountains, Doubs |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Treated with Penicillium candidum | Washed rind |
| Aging | 3 to 6 weeks | 21 to 60 days |
| Taste | — | Resinous, mild to pungent |
Taste Comparison: Does Exmoor Blue Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or 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 Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.
Can You Substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
In most recipes, Exmoor Blue Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.
Which Is Better, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exmoor Blue Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Exmoor Blue Cheese is typically aged 3 to 6 weeks, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.
Is Exmoor Blue Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Exmoor Blue Cheese taste like Mont d'Or 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 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, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.