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Mascarpone Cheese vs Stilton Cheese
Mascarpone Cheese
Stilton Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Mascarpone Cheese and Stilton Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Mascarpone Cheese and Stilton Cheese?"
- "Is Mascarpone Cheese and Stilton Cheese the same?"
- "How does Mascarpone Cheese compare to Stilton Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Mascarpone Cheese compare to Stilton Cheese?"
- "Is Mascarpone Cheese or Stilton Cheese better?"
Mascarpone Cheese Overview
Mascarpone is a creamy, soft Italian cheese made from cream, coagulated by the addition of citric acid or acetic acid. It has a very rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet taste. Mascarpone is a key ingredient in desserts like tiramisu and can also be used in dips, spreads, and sauces.
Stilton Cheese Overview
Stilton is one of the best-known British blue cheeses, traditionally made in two varieties: blue and white. Blue Stilton is creamy and crumbly with a distinctively sharp, rich flavor produced by the blue veins. White Stilton, less common, is the milder of the two and does not have the blue veining.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Mascarpone Cheese comes from Italy. Stilton Cheese originated from England.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Mascarpone is not a protected cheese. Stilton Cheese has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Mascarpone Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically heated. Stilton Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Mascarpone Cheese has a fat content of 60 to 75 percent. Mascarpone's texture can be described as "soft, spreadable". Stilton's texture can be described as "hard, blue-veined".
Taste and Aroma
Mascarpone Cheese has a buttery to slightly tangy taste. Mascarpone's aroma can be described as "fresh". Stilton Cheese has a spicy, strong taste.
Appearance and Aging
Mascarpone Cheese's appearance is colored white . Stilton Cheese has a color of blue-grey .
Rind and Rennet Type
Mascarpone Cheese's rind is described as rindless . Stilton Cheese's rind is described as natural .
Ranking
Mascarpone is ranked #36 out of 996 types based on community views. Stilton is ranked #25 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Mascarpone | Stilton | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Asti Spumante, Fruit Compote, Kiwi, Mangoes, Prosecco, Raspberry, Strawberries | Barleywine, Madeira |
| Other Good Pairings | No additional pairings listed. | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Mascarpone and Stilton pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Mascarpone Cheese | Stilton Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | England |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy | Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Heated | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | 60 to 75 percent | Not Specified |
| Rind | Rindless | Natural |
| Texture | Soft, spreadable | Hard, blue-veined |
| Taste | Buttery to slightly tangy | Spicy, strong |
| Aroma | Fresh | Not Specified |
| Colors | White | Blue-grey |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft, spreadable cheese, go for Mascarpone. But if you enjoy a hard, blue-veined consistency, Stilton might be the better pick. Mascarpone has a buttery to slightly tangy taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Stilton offers a spicy, strong profile, ideal for different meals.
