Blue Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese

Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.

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 Washed Rind Cheese?

Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.

What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?

• Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
• Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
• Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Washed Rind Cheese's pungent.

Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

Blue Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind 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 to hard. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.

Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Washed Rind 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 to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Blue Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Blue Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Washed Rind 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 Washed Rind Cheese made of?

Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.

Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.