Blue Cheese vs Penbryn Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Penbryn Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Great Britain, United Kingdom and Wales.
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 Penbryn Cheese?
Penbryn is a hard cheese from Wales, made from cow's milk with a fat content of 45%. Its texture is firm, making it ideal for slicing. The flavor profile is a rich blend of buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, and sweet notes. This combination offers a balanced taste that can appeal to a wide range of palates. Penbryn is well-suited for both snacking and culinary uses, adding depth to dishes or serving as a satisfying cheese board choice. Its flavors can complement both sweet and savory pairings.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Penbryn Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Penbryn Cheese (Great Britain, United Kingdom and Wales)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Penbryn Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Penbryn Cheese (hard)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Penbryn Cheese (buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Penbryn Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Great Britain, United Kingdom And Wales |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | — |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, sweet |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Penbryn 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 Penbryn Cheese
Blue Cheese
Penbryn Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Penbryn Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Penbryn Cheese brings buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, sweet character.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Penbryn Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Penbryn 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Penbryn Cheese brings buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Penbryn 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 hard profile, Penbryn Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Penbryn Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Penbryn Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Penbryn Cheese comes from Great Britain, United Kingdom and Wales. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Penbryn Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Penbryn Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Penbryn Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Penbryn Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Penbryn Cheese is buttery, fruity, grassy, nutty, sweet.
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 Penbryn Cheese made of?
Penbryn Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Great Britain, United Kingdom and Wales.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Penbryn Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Penbryn Cheese is hard.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Penbryn Cheese.