Pimento Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Pimento Cheese is a spreadable cheese from United States, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
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 Pimento Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Origin: Pimento Cheese (United States), Roquefort Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Pimento Cheese (Spreadable), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Taste: Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pimento Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | France |
| Specific Origin | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Cheddar, farmers’ style | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Spreadable | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | — | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | Sweet, rounded chili | Mild to strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Pimento Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Pimento Cheese reads as sweet, rounded chili, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Pimento Cheese offers sweet, rounded chili, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. More specifically, Pimento Cheese shows pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp.
Can You Substitute Pimento Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
Pimento Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect spreadable bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Pimento Cheese reads as sweet, rounded chili while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.
Which Is Better, Pimento Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a spreadable cheese, go with Pimento Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pimento Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, rounded chili notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pimento Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pimento Cheese originates in United States, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France.
Is Pimento Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pimento Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pimento Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?
Pimento Cheese reads as sweet, rounded chili, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong. Aromas also diverge. Pimento Cheese leans sweet, rounded chili, and Roquefort Cheese is closer to sweet.
What is Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. 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, Pimento Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pimento Cheese is spreadable, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.