Monterey Jack Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Q: Is Monterey Jack Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No. Monterey Jack Cheese and Roquefort Cheese are distinct cheeses from United States and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Monterey Jack Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Monterey Jack Cheese for Roquefort Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Monterey Jack Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Monterey Jack Cheese

Roquefort Cheese

Monterey Jack Cheese is a mild to firm cow-milk cheese from United States, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Monterey Jack Cheese?

Monterey Jack is a white, semi-hard cow's milk cheese from Monterey, California, with a mild and slightly sweet flavor. It melts cleanly, which is why it shows up in quesadillas, burritos, grilled cheese, and cheeseburgers.

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 Monterey Jack Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?

Origin: Monterey Jack Cheese (United States), Roquefort Cheese (France)
Milk type: Monterey Jack Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Monterey Jack Cheese (pasteurized), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Monterey Jack Cheese (Mild to firm), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
Aging: Monterey Jack Cheese (Six weeks to ten months), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
Taste: Monterey Jack Cheese (Mild to full-flavored), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Monterey Jack Cheese	Roquefort Cheese
Country of Origin	United States	France
Specific Origin	Monterey County, California	Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Mild to firm	Moist, very creamy
Rind	—	None
Aging	Six weeks to ten months	Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months
Taste	Mild to full-flavored	Mild to strong

Pairing Comparison

What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.

	Monterey Jack Cheese	Roquefort Cheese
Pairs well with	Macaroni and Cheese, Pulled Pork, Tacos, Clam Chowder, Pastrami	Bordeaux, Barleywine, Beaujolais, Madeira, Port

Taste Comparison: Does Monterey Jack Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Monterey Jack Cheese reads as mild to full-flavored, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Monterey Jack Cheese offers aromatic, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. More specifically, Monterey Jack Cheese shows a cheese with a cream-colored paste that becomes more golden with age, known for its mild to full flavor and adaptability in culinary uses., while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Monterey Jack Cheese at six weeks to ten months develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Monterey Jack Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Monterey Jack Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

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

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monterey Jack Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Monterey Jack Cheese originates in United States, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Monterey Jack Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Monterey Jack Cheese is typically aged six weeks to ten months, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Monterey Jack Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Monterey Jack Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

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

Does Monterey Jack Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Monterey Jack Cheese reads as mild to full-flavored, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong. Aromas also diverge. Monterey Jack Cheese leans aromatic, and Roquefort Cheese is closer to sweet.

What is Monterey Jack Cheese made of?

Monterey Jack Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged six weeks to ten months. It originates in United States.

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, Monterey Jack Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Monterey Jack Cheese is mild to firm, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.