Roquefort Cheese vs Shropshire Blue Cheese

Roquefort Cheese is a semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined sheep-milk cheese from France, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 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 Roquefort Cheese and Shropshire Blue Cheese?

• Origin: Roquefort Cheese (France), Shropshire Blue Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Roquefort Cheese (Sheep's milk), Shropshire Blue Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized), Shropshire Blue Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Roquefort Cheese (Semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined), Shropshire Blue Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Roquefort Cheese (none), Shropshire Blue Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months), Shropshire Blue Cheese (10 to 12 weeks)
• Taste: Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong), Shropshire Blue Cheese (sharp and strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong character. On the nose, Roquefort Cheese offers sweet, contrasted with Shropshire Blue Cheese's slightly tangy. More specifically, Roquefort Cheese shows buttercream smooth to salty and sharp, while Shropshire Blue Cheese leans toward sharp, strong, slightly sour, sharper than stilton, creamy. Aging plays into this as well. Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months develops a different profile than Shropshire Blue Cheese at 10 to 12 weeks.

Can You Substitute Roquefort Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese can stand in for Shropshire Blue Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong notes.

Which Is Better, Roquefort Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roquefort Cheese the same as Shropshire Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Roquefort Cheese originates in France, while Shropshire Blue Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk; Shropshire Blue Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roquefort Cheese is typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months, Shropshire Blue Cheese 10 to 12 weeks.

Is Roquefort Cheese similar to Shropshire Blue Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Roquefort Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?

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

Does Roquefort Cheese taste like Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is sharp and strong. Aromas also diverge. Roquefort Cheese leans sweet, and Shropshire Blue Cheese is closer to slightly tangy.

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 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, Roquefort Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roquefort Cheese is semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is soft.