Blue Cheese vs Frinault Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Frinault Cheese is soft, soft-ripened and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What Is Frinault Cheese?
Frinault is a French cheese crafted from unpasteurized cow's milk, known for its soft, soft-ripened texture. With a fat content of 50%, it offers a rich and creamy taste experience. The flavor is notably spicy, providing a lively contrast to the cheese's creamy nature. Its aroma is distinctly fermented, hinting at the traditional methods used in its production. The cheese is white in color and features a natural rind, adding to its rustic appeal. Frinault is an excellent choice for those who appreciate bold flavors in a soft cheese.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Frinault Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Frinault Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Frinault Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Frinault Cheese (soft, soft-ripened)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Frinault Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Frinault Cheese (spicy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Frinault Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft, soft-ripened |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Spicy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Frinault Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | — |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Frinault Cheese
Blue Cheese
Frinault Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Frinault Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Frinault Cheese brings spicy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Frinault Cheese's fermented.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Frinault Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Frinault Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, soft-ripened. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Frinault Cheese brings spicy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Frinault Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a soft, soft-ripened profile, Frinault Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Frinault Cheese fits dishes calling for spicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Frinault Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Frinault Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Frinault Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Frinault Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Frinault Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Frinault Cheese is spicy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Frinault Cheese is closer to fermented.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
What is Frinault Cheese made of?
Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Frinault Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Frinault Cheese is soft, soft-ripened.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Frinault Cheese.