Blue Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese
Blue Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft 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 Mont d'Or Cheese?
Mont d'Or, or Vacherin Mont d'Or, is a seasonal, soft cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. Available from September to May, it has a delicate, creamy texture and a rich, earthy flavor. Mont d'Or is traditionally eaten warmed in the box it comes in, making the interior deliciously runny.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Mont d'Or Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Mont d'Or Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Jura Mountains, Doubs |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | Washed rind |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 21 to 60 days |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Resinous, mild to pungent |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Mont d'Or 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 Mont d'Or Cheese
Blue Cheese
Mont d'Or Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Mont d'Or 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. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Mont d'Or 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 profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Mont d'Or Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.
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 Mont d'Or Cheese made of?
Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese.