Roquefort Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese

Q: Is Roquefort Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

No. Roquefort Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Roquefort Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Roquefort Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Roquefort Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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 is a moist, very creamy sheep-milk cheese from France, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.

What Is Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a famous blue cheese from the south of France, made from sheep's milk. It is known for its strong, tangy flavor and moist, crumbly texture. The cheese is ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where it develops its characteristic blue veins from the mold Penicillium roqueforti.

What Is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a traditional firm cheese made in the historical counties of Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. It is crafted from locally sourced cow’s milk and matures for at least 9 months. The cheese has a creamy yellow color and a nutty, full-rounded flavor with a hint of sharpness. It is made using a process that includes cheddaring, milling, and mechanical pressing. The milk primarily comes from the cheesemakers' own herds and nearby farms. The method of production has remained largely unchanged since the 15th century. The cheese is matured naturally within the designated geographical area to develop its distinct taste.

What's the Difference Between Roquefort Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Milk type: Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
Texture: Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
Aging: Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
Taste: Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Roquefort Cheese	West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Country of Origin	France	—
Specific Origin	Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France	Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	—
Texture	Moist, very creamy	Firm
Aging	Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months	Minimum 9 months
Taste	Mild to strong	Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness

Taste Comparison: Does Roquefort Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Roquefort Cheese shows buttercream smooth to salty and sharp, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward rich, deep, and slightly sharp from natural aging. Aging plays into this as well. Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.

Can You Substitute Roquefort Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese 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. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.

Which Is Better, Roquefort Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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 profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese suits recipes that want mild to strong notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roquefort Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roquefort Cheese is typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.

Is Roquefort Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Roquefort Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Roquefort Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.

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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.

Which should I choose, Roquefort Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.