Blue Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Roumy Cheese?
Roumy is a traditional Egyptian cheese made from a blend of cow's and water buffalo's milk. It has a hard texture and is known for its salty, sharp, and strong flavor. The cheese is yellow in color, and it develops a natural rind as it ages. Roumy has a pungent aroma that can be quite pronounced. It is often used in cooking or enjoyed on its own, adding a bold flavor to various dishes. The cheese is also referred to by alternative names such as Romy, Romi, Gebnah Romy, and Gebna Romi.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | — |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Salty, sharp, strong |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese
Blue Cheese
Roumy Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Roumy 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, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Roumy Cheese is closer to pungent.
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 Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Roumy Cheese is hard.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Roumy Cheese.