Blue Cheese vs Saint Felicien Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Saint Felicien Cheese is soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.
What Is Saint Felicien Cheese?
Saint-Félicien is a soft cow's milk cheese from the Rhône-Alpes region of France, with a creamy interior under a flower-style fleurie casing. Rounds average 180 grams (6.3 oz), and it is softer and creamier than its close relative Saint-Marcellin.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Saint Felicien Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Saint Felicien Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Saint Felicien Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Saint Felicien Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Saint Felicien Cheese (flower-style (fleurie) casing)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Saint Felicien Cheese (4 to 6 weeks)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Saint Felicien Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Saint Felicien Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Rhône-Alpes, France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Flower-style (fleurie) casing |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Saint Felicien Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Saint Felicien Cheese brings creamy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Saint Felicien Cheese's nutty. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Saint Felicien Cheese leans toward similar to saint-marcellin, softer and creamier. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Saint Felicien Cheese at 4 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Saint Felicien Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Saint Felicien 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 soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Saint Felicien Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Saint Felicien 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 soft, artisan profile, Saint Felicien Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Saint Felicien Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Saint Felicien Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Saint Felicien Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Saint Felicien Cheese 4 to 6 weeks.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Saint Felicien Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Saint Felicien Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Saint Felicien Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Saint Felicien Cheese is creamy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Saint Felicien Cheese is closer to nutty.
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 Saint Felicien Cheese made of?
Saint Felicien Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 4 to 6 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Saint Felicien Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Saint Felicien Cheese is soft, artisan.