Exmoor Blue Cheese vs Stracchino Cheese

Exmoor Blue Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese, while Stracchino Cheese is very soft, creamy 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 Stracchino Cheese?

Stracchino, also called crescenza, is an Italian cow's milk cheese made in Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Liguria. It is eaten very young, with no rind, a soft creamy body and a mild, slightly acidic flavor.

What's the Difference Between Exmoor Blue Cheese and Stracchino Cheese?

• Texture: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft), Stracchino Cheese (very soft, creamy)
• Rind: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum), Stracchino Cheese (none)
• Aging: Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks), Stracchino Cheese (eaten very young)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Exmoor Blue Cheese Taste Like Stracchino 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 Stracchino Cheese at eaten very young.

Can You Substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Stracchino Cheese?

In most recipes, Exmoor Blue Cheese and Stracchino 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 very soft, creamy.

Which Is Better, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Stracchino 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 very soft, creamy profile, Stracchino Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Exmoor Blue Cheese the same as Stracchino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Exmoor Blue Cheese is typically aged 3 to 6 weeks, Stracchino Cheese eaten very young.

Is Exmoor Blue Cheese similar to Stracchino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Stracchino Cheese?

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

Does Exmoor Blue Cheese taste like Stracchino 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 Stracchino Cheese made of?

Stracchino Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged eaten very young. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Stracchino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft, while Stracchino Cheese is very soft, creamy.