Frinault Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Frinault Cheese is a soft, soft-ripened cow-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Frinault Cheese?

Frinault is a soft cheese from the countryside around Orléans in France, made with pasteurized whole cow's milk at 50% fat. It comes as a small 120 g disc in three versions: plain, ash-ripened Frinault cendré, and the longer-aged Frinault sec.

What Is Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

What's the Difference Between Frinault Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?

• Milk type: Frinault Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Frinault Cheese (pasteurized), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Frinault Cheese (soft, soft-ripened), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
• Rind: Frinault Cheese (natural), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Frinault Cheese (about 2 weeks), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Frinault Cheese (spicy), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Frinault Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Frinault Cheese offers fermented, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. More specifically, Frinault Cheese shows fruity and more perfumed in the cendré version, close to olivet cendré, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Frinault Cheese at about 2 weeks develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Frinault Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

Frinault Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, soft-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese reads as spicy while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Frinault Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, soft-ripened cheese, go with Frinault Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frinault Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Frinault Cheese is typically aged about 2 weeks, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Frinault Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Frinault Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Frinault Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong. Aromas also diverge. Frinault Cheese leans fermented, and Roquefort Cheese is closer to sweet.

What is Frinault Cheese made of?

Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 2 weeks. 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, Frinault Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Frinault Cheese is soft, soft-ripened, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.