Parmesan Cheese vs Shropshire Blue Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What Is Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Shropshire Blue is a British blue cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, coloured orange with annatto and veined with Penicillium roqueforti. It is made much like Stilton but tastes sharper, and it matures for 10 to 12 weeks.

What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Shropshire Blue Cheese?

• Origin: Parmesan Cheese (Italy), Shropshire Blue Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Shropshire Blue Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (Hard), Shropshire Blue Cheese (Soft)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Shropshire Blue Cheese (10 to 12 weeks)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Shropshire Blue Cheese (sharp and strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Shropshire Blue Cheese's slightly tangy. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Shropshire Blue Cheese leans toward sharp, strong, slightly sour, sharper than stilton, creamy. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Shropshire Blue Cheese at 10 to 12 weeks.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?

In most recipes, Parmesan Cheese and Shropshire Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a soft profile, Shropshire Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Shropshire Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp and strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Shropshire Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese originates in Italy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Shropshire Blue Cheese 10 to 12 weeks.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is sharp and strong. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Shropshire Blue Cheese is closer to slightly tangy.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

What is Shropshire Blue Cheese made of?

Shropshire Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetable rennet. It's typically aged 10 to 12 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is soft.