Blue Cheese vs Soumaintrain Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Soumaintrain Cheese is soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
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 Soumaintrain Cheese?
Soumaintrain is a soft, artisan cheese from France, made from unpasteurized cow's milk. It features a creamy flavor and a rich aroma that makes it quite appealing. The cheese is known for its washed rind, which contributes to its distinct texture. Soumaintrain has a soft, almost gooey interior that pairs well with the rich, creamy taste. It's a great cheese to enjoy with crusty bread or fresh fruit. Often referred to as Soumaintrain AOC, this cheese is a fine example of traditional French cheese-making.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Soumaintrain Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Soumaintrain Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Soumaintrain Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Soumaintrain Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Soumaintrain Cheese (washed)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Soumaintrain Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Soumaintrain Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Washed |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Creamy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Soumaintrain 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 Soumaintrain Cheese
Blue Cheese
Soumaintrain Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Soumaintrain Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Soumaintrain Cheese brings creamy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Soumaintrain Cheese's rich.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Soumaintrain Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Soumaintrain 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 Soumaintrain Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Soumaintrain 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, Soumaintrain Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Soumaintrain Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Soumaintrain Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Soumaintrain Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Soumaintrain Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Soumaintrain Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Soumaintrain Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Soumaintrain Cheese is creamy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Soumaintrain Cheese is closer to rich.
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 Soumaintrain Cheese made of?
Soumaintrain Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Soumaintrain Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Soumaintrain Cheese is soft, artisan.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Soumaintrain Cheese.