Fontainebleau Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Fontainebleau Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
What Is Fontainebleau Cheese?
Fontainebleau is a soft, white cheese originating from the Ile-de-France region in France. Made from cow's milk, it can be produced using either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk. This cheese has a high fat content of 60%, contributing to its rich and creamy texture. Fontainebleau is known for its mild, milky, and smooth flavor profile with a subtle sweetness. The aroma is fresh and mild, reflecting its milky nature. It is rindless, which adds to its smooth and velvety consistency. Fontainebleau is often enjoyed on its own or paired with fruits or pastries.
What Is Roquefort Cheese?
Roquefort is a famous blue cheese from the south of France, made from sheep's milk. It is known for its strong, tangy flavor and moist, crumbly texture. The cheese is ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where it develops its characteristic blue veins from the mold Penicillium roqueforti.
What's the Difference Between Fontainebleau Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontainebleau Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Fontainebleau Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Fontainebleau Cheese (soft), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Taste: Fontainebleau Cheese (mild, milky, smooth, sweet), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontainebleau Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Ile-De-France | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | Rindless | — |
| Aging | — | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | Mild, milky, smooth, sweet | Mild to strong |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Fontainebleau Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Bordeaux |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Barleywine, Beaujolais, Madeira, Port |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Fontainebleau Cheese and Roquefort Cheese
Fontainebleau Cheese
Roquefort Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Fontainebleau Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Fontainebleau Cheese reads as mild, milky, smooth, sweet, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Fontainebleau Cheese offers fresh, mild, milky, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet.
Can You Substitute Fontainebleau Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
Fontainebleau Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Fontainebleau Cheese reads as mild, milky, smooth, sweet while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.
Which Is Better, Fontainebleau Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Fontainebleau Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontainebleau Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, smooth, sweet notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontainebleau Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontainebleau Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep.
Is Fontainebleau Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontainebleau Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontainebleau Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?
Fontainebleau Cheese reads as mild, milky, smooth, sweet, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong. Aromas also diverge. Fontainebleau Cheese leans fresh, mild, milky, and Roquefort Cheese is closer to sweet.
What is Fontainebleau Cheese made of?
Fontainebleau Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in France.
What is Roquefort Cheese made of?
Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Fontainebleau Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontainebleau Cheese is soft, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.
See full profiles: Fontainebleau Cheese and Roquefort Cheese.