Blue Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese
Blue Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.
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 Jarlsberg Cheese?
Jarlsberg is a famous Norwegian cheese, known for its distinctive sweet and nutty taste. It is a semi-soft cheese with large, round holes. Jarlsberg is versatile and can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is often used in sandwiches, as a burger topping, or simply enjoyed on its own.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Jarlsberg Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Jarlsberg Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Norway |
| Specific Origin | — | No Specific Location |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Semihard |
| Rind | Natural | Plastic-covered |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | Three months to twelve months |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Mild, sweet, nutty |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Jarlsberg 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 Jarlsberg Cheese
Blue Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Jarlsberg 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 semihard. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Jarlsberg 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 semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Jarlsberg Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty.
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 Jarlsberg Cheese made of?
Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese.