The Most Popular Blue Cheese, Ranked

Choose the blue cheese you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:31
When it comes to selecting blue cheese, the choices can be as varied as they are flavorful. Each type offers a unique taste, texture, and aroma, which can significantly enhance culinary experiences. For enthusiasts and novices alike, understanding which varieties stand out in the public eye can be both informative and inspiring. By participating in this ranking, individuals contribute to a broader understanding of popular preferences, shedding light on trending choices and perhaps lesser-known gems. This interactive voting system not only engages the community but also helps guide future buyers in making more informed decisions when faced with the myriad options available in blue cheeses.

What Is the Most Popular Blue Cheese?

  1. 1
    53
    votes
    Roquefort is made from sheep's milk, Roquefort is one of the oldest blue cheeses in the world and is named after the town of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon in France where it is produced. It has a creamy texture with a sharp and tangy flavor.
    Roquefort is a popular variety of blue cheese that hails from the south of France. It has a distinctively tangy and creamy flavor with a characteristically salty undertone. The cheese is made from the raw milk of the Lacaune breed of sheep that graze on the red lands of the Aveyron region. Roquefort is renowned for its unique production process that involves aging the cheese in caves to develop its signature blue veins. It has a crumbly and moist texture, which makes it easy to spread or crumble over dishes.
    • Cheese texture: Crumbly and moist
    • Flavor: Tangy with a salty undertone
    • Aging period: Minimum of 3 months
    • Milk source: Raw milk from Lacaune breed of sheep
    • Region of origin: Aveyron, France
  2. 2
    13
    votes
    Gorgonzola originating from the Lombardy region in Italy, Gorgonzola is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a creamy and crumbly texture with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor.
    Gorgonzola is a renowned blue cheese that originates from Italy. It is made from cow's milk and has a rich, creamy texture. The cheese is known for its distinct blue-green veins, which are a result of the mold Penicillium glaucum or Penicillium roqueforti being introduced during the aging process. Gorgonzola has a strong and pungent flavor, with earthy and slightly salty notes. It is often used in cooking and pairs well with fruits, nuts, and honey. This cheese is named after the town of Gorgonzola in the Milan region of Italy.
    • Origin: Italy
    • Milk Type: Cow's milk
    • Texture: Creamy
    • Color: Pale yellow
    • Veining: Blue-green
  3. 3
    33
    votes
    Stilton made in the United Kingdom, Stilton is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a crumbly texture with a buttery and tangy flavor.
    Stilton is a traditional English blue cheese known for its creamy texture and complex, rich flavor. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and has a characteristic blue veining throughout the cheese. The cheese has a crumbly yet slightly creamy texture that melts in the mouth, delivering a tangy and savory taste.
    • Origin: England
    • Milk Type: Cow's milk
    • Texture: Crumbly yet slightly creamy
    • Flavor: Rich, tangy, and savory
    • Aging: Minimum 9 weeks
  4. 4
    13
    votes

    Danish Blue

    Marius Boel
    Danish Blue also known as Danablu, this blue cheese is made from cow's milk and has a creamy texture with a sharp and slightly salty flavor.
    Danish Blue is a semi-soft blue cheese that is well-known for its sharp and tangy flavor. It has a creamy texture with evenly distributed blue veins running throughout. The cheese has a slightly salty taste, and its aroma can be described as pungent yet appealing. Danish Blue pairs well with fruits, nuts, and wine, making it a popular choice for cheeseboards and salads.
    • Country of Origin: Denmark
    • Milk Type: Cow's milk
    • Cheese Type: Blue
    • Texture: Semi-soft
    • Flavor: Sharp and tangy
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    Bleu d'Auvergne
    Pymouss · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Bleu d'Auvergne originating from the Auvergne region in France, Bleu d'Auvergne is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a creamy texture with a strong and spicy flavor.
    Bleu d'Auvergne is a famous blue cheese originating from the Auvergne region in France. It is known for its creamy and crumbly texture, with an intense and tangy flavor. The cheese is made from cow's milk and has distinct blue veins running throughout its ivory-colored paste. Bleu d'Auvergne is a popular choice for cheese lovers who enjoy bold and savory flavors.
    • Origin: Auvergne, France
    • Type of Cheese: Blue Cheese
    • Milk Type: Cow's milk
    • Texture: Creamy and crumbly
    • Flavor: Intense and tangy
  6. 6
    16
    votes
    Cabrales originating from the Asturias region in Spain, Cabrales is a blue cheese made from cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk. It has a crumbly texture with a strong and pungent flavor.
    Cabrales is a popular blue cheese originating from the Asturias region in northern Spain. It is well-known for its strong, pungent flavor and creamy texture, making it a favorite among blue cheese enthusiasts worldwide.
    • Texture: Creamy
    • Origin: Asturias, Spain
    • Type: Blue cheese
    • Flavor: Strong and pungent
    • Milk Source: Cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk (or a combination)
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    Fourme d'Ambert
    Coyau · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Fourme d'Ambert originating from the Auvergne region in France, Fourme d'Ambert is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a creamy texture with a mild and nutty flavor.
    Fourme d'Ambert is a famous blue cheese from France. It has a smooth and creamy texture with a mild and tangy flavor. The blue veining throughout adds a unique complexity to its taste. It is often described as less pungent compared to other blue cheeses, making it a good choice for those who prefer milder varieties. This cheese is aged for a minimum of 28 days, allowing it to develop its distinctive flavors and soft texture. It is produced using pasteurized cow's milk and has a natural rind.
    • Country of Origin: France
    • Milk Type: Cow's Milk
    • Texture: Smooth and Creamy
    • Flavor: Mild and Tangy
    • Aging: Minimum of 28 days
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    Maytag Blue
    Imjustmatthew · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Maytag Blue

    Maytag Dairy Farms
    Maytag Blue made in the United States, Maytag Blue is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a creamy texture with a tangy and salty flavor.
    Maytag Blue is a classic American blue cheese known for its creamy texture and tangy flavor. It is named after the Maytag Dairy Farms, founded by F. L. Maytag in 1941. The quality and distinctive taste of Maytag Blue have made it one of the most popular blue cheeses in the United States.
    • Texture: Creamy
    • Flavor: Tangy
    • Country of Origin: United States
    • Milk Type: Cow's milk
    • Ageing: Minimum 60 days
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    Cashel Blue
    AchilleT · Public domain

    Cashel Blue

    Grubb family
    Cashel Blue originating from County Tipperary in Ireland, Cashel Blue is a blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a creamy texture with a sweet and buttery flavor.
    Cashel Blue is a creamy and slightly crumbly blue cheese made from cow's milk. It has a distinct tangy and salty flavor with a subtle sweetness. The cheese has a smooth, pale ivory paste with blue veins running throughout. It is known for its rich and creamy texture, melting in the mouth and leaving a pleasant aftertaste.
    • Milk Source: Cow's milk
    • Texture: Creamy and slightly crumbly
    • Flavor: Tangy, salty, and subtly sweet
    • Color: Off-white with blue veins
    • Paste: Smooth and pale ivory
  10. 10
    2
    votes
    Cambozola a German blue cheese that is a combination of Camembert and Gorgonzola. It has a creamy texture with a mild and nutty flavor.
    Cambozola is a popular blue cheese that originated in Germany. It is a soft-ripened cheese with a delicate balance of flavors, combining the creaminess of a Camembert and the distinctive tang of blue cheese. The white rind gives it a bloomy appearance, while the blue veins running throughout the cheese add complexity and a slightly pungent taste.
    • Country of origin: Germany
    • Type: Blue cheese
    • Texture: Soft and creamy
    • Flavor: Delicate, tangy, and slightly pungent
    • Rind: Bloomy white

Missing your favorite blue cheese?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular blue cheese

  1. Taste
    The distinct flavor of the blue cheese should be considered, as different blue cheeses offer varying levels of sharpness, creaminess, and saltiness.
  2. Texture
    Assess the creaminess, crumbliness, and moisture level of the blue cheese. People may prefer softer or firmer cheeses based on their preferences.
  3. Penicillium mold type
    Blue cheeses are primarily differentiated by the type of Penicillium mold used to create the characteristic blue veins. This affects the taste and aroma of the cheese.
  4. Market presence
    Evaluate the cheese's availability in supermarkets, specialty food stores, and online retailers. Widespread availability usually indicates higher popularity.
  5. Brand reputation
    Consider the reputation of the cheese producers, as well-known and respected brands tend to have popular blue cheese offerings.
  6. Pairing options
    Consider how well the cheese pairs with different foods and beverages, such as wines, fruits, and nuts. Versatility and pairability can increase the popularity of the cheese.
  7. Aging process
    The duration and methods of aging can affect the flavor, texture, and aroma of the blue cheese. Some people might prefer a younger, milder cheese, while others might appreciate a more aged, intense flavor.
  8. Price
    The cost of the cheese should be considered, as more affordable and reasonably-priced blue cheeses might be more popular among consumers.
  9. Awards and recognition
    Check if the blue cheese has received any awards or accolades in cheese competitions and food festivals. Such recognition can boost its popularity and credibility among cheese enthusiasts.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular blue cheese. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or blue is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1781 views
  • 165 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each blue once every 24 hours. The rank of each blue is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular blue cheese

Blue cheese is a type of cheese that is known for its distinct blue veins or spots, which are created by the introduction of mold spores during the cheese-making process. Blue cheese is made from cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk, and is typically aged for several months before being sold. While there are many different types of blue cheese, some of the most popular varieties include Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Danish blue. Each of these cheeses has its own unique flavor profile, texture, and aroma, making them popular choices for a variety of dishes and culinary applications. Despite its strong, pungent flavor, blue cheese has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people incorporating it into their favorite recipes and dishes. Whether you're a die-hard blue cheese fan or just curious about this unique type of cheese, there's no denying that it has a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of foodies around the world.

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