Roquefort Cheese vs Queijo São Jorge

Q: Is Roquefort Cheese the same as Queijo São Jorge?

No. Roquefort Cheese and Queijo São Jorge are distinct cheeses from France and Portugal respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Roquefort Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Roquefort Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?

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.

Roquefort Cheese

Queijo São Jorge

Roquefort Cheese is a moist, very creamy sheep-milk cheese from France, while Queijo São Jorge is firm consistency, hard or semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Portugal.

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 Is Queijo São Jorge?

Queijo São Jorge is a semi-hard to hard cow's milk cheese made only on the island of São Jorge in the Azores. It is known for its firm, brittle yellowish paste, small irregular holes, and a strong, slightly spicy flavor that sharpens with age.

What's the Difference Between Roquefort Cheese and Queijo São Jorge?

Origin: Roquefort Cheese (France), Queijo São Jorge (Portugal)
Milk type: Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk), Queijo São Jorge (Cow)
Milk treatment: Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized), Queijo São Jorge (Raw)
Texture: Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy), Queijo São Jorge (Firm consistency, hard or semi-hard)
Rind: Roquefort Cheese (none), Queijo São Jorge (Natural)
Aging: Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months), Queijo São Jorge (minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions)
Taste: Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong), Queijo São Jorge (Peppery, grassy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Roquefort Cheese	Queijo São Jorge
Country of Origin	France	Portugal
Specific Origin	Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France	Island Of São Jorge, Azores
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Raw
Texture	Moist, very creamy	Firm consistency, hard or semi-hard
Rind	None	Natural
Aging	Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months	Minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions
Taste	Mild to strong	Peppery, grassy

Taste Comparison: Does Roquefort Cheese Taste Like Queijo São Jorge?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while Queijo São Jorge brings peppery, grassy character. On the nose, Roquefort Cheese offers sweet, contrasted with Queijo São Jorge's peppery, grassy. More specifically, Roquefort Cheese shows buttercream smooth to salty and sharp, while Queijo São Jorge leans toward mild, sour aftertaste; musty, earthy, barnyardy (aged). Aging plays into this as well. Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months develops a different profile than Queijo São Jorge at minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions.

Can You Substitute Roquefort Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?

Roquefort Cheese can stand in for Queijo São Jorge in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect moist, very creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for firm consistency, hard or semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong while Queijo São Jorge brings peppery, grassy notes.

Which Is Better, Roquefort Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a moist, very creamy cheese, go with Roquefort Cheese. For a firm consistency, hard or semi-hard profile, Queijo São Jorge is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese suits recipes that want mild to strong notes, while Queijo São Jorge fits dishes calling for peppery, grassy.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roquefort Cheese the same as Queijo São Jorge?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Roquefort Cheese originates in France, while Queijo São Jorge comes from Portugal. Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk; Queijo São Jorge uses cow. Aging also differs: Roquefort Cheese is typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months, Queijo São Jorge minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions.

Is Roquefort Cheese similar to Queijo São Jorge?

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

Can I substitute Roquefort Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?

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

Does Roquefort Cheese taste like Queijo São Jorge?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while Queijo São Jorge is peppery, grassy. Aromas also diverge. Roquefort Cheese leans sweet, and Queijo São Jorge is closer to peppery, grassy.

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.

What is Queijo São Jorge made of?

Queijo São Jorge is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions. It originates in Portugal.

Which should I choose, Roquefort Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy, while Queijo São Jorge is firm consistency, hard or semi-hard.