Exmoor Blue Cheese vs Wensleydale Cheese
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese, while Wensleydale Cheese is firm and crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.
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 Wensleydale Cheese?
Wensleydale is a crumbly, moist cheese originally from the town of Wensleydale in Yorkshire. It can be young or matured, with the younger cheese being mild and creamy, and the aged cheese developing a more pronounced, honeyed flavor. It's often combined with fruits like cranberries or apricots.
What's the Difference Between Exmoor Blue Cheese and Wensleydale Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized), Wensleydale Cheese (Pressed)
- Texture: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft), Wensleydale Cheese (Firm and crumbly)
- Aging: Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks), Wensleydale Cheese (1 to 4 months old)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Exmoor Blue Cheese | Wensleydale Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Devon And Somerset, England | Yorkshire Dales |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pressed |
| Texture | Soft | Firm and crumbly |
| Rind | Treated with Penicillium candidum | — |
| Aging | 3 to 6 weeks | 1 to 4 months old |
| Taste | — | Fresh, lemony tang |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Exmoor Blue Cheese and Wensleydale Cheese
Exmoor Blue Cheese
Wensleydale Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Exmoor Blue Cheese Taste Like Wensleydale 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 Wensleydale Cheese at 1 to 4 months old.
Can You Substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Wensleydale Cheese?
In most recipes, Exmoor Blue Cheese and Wensleydale 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 firm and crumbly.
Which Is Better, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Wensleydale 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 firm and crumbly profile, Wensleydale Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exmoor Blue Cheese the same as Wensleydale Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Exmoor Blue Cheese is typically aged 3 to 6 weeks, Wensleydale Cheese 1 to 4 months old.
Is Exmoor Blue Cheese similar to Wensleydale Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Wensleydale Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Exmoor Blue Cheese taste like Wensleydale 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 Wensleydale Cheese made of?
Wensleydale Cheese is made from cow milk (pressed). It's typically aged 1 to 4 months old. It originates in United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Wensleydale Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft, while Wensleydale Cheese is firm and crumbly.
See full profiles: Exmoor Blue Cheese and Wensleydale Cheese.