Blue Cheese has a distinctive flavor that goes well on salads, dressings, and a variety of other dishes where you want a sharp flavor. The blue veins give it a unique taste that is great on a charcuterie board, combined with many different tastes and flavors. Cheese is a great part of a gluten-free diet and can be healthy if you choose wisely.
Blue Cheese is naturally gluten-free. There are many different varieties of blue cheese to choose from including Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton. If the cheese contains additives, always be sure to double-check for a gluten-free label. The best alternatives to blue cheese include Montchevre Goat Cheese, Cacique Queso Fresco, Frigo Feta Cheese, and Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Blue cheese is unique, and we’ll dive into how it’s made, the many varieties and what makes them unique, health benefits, and nutritional facts of several wonderful choices. Cheese is an adventure, so let’s learn more!
Contents
How is Blue Cheese Made?
Blue Cheese was rumored to be discovered when a cheesemaker left a loaf of bread in a French cave. The cheese was transformed into something delicious. Today, blue cheese comes in several varieties and is made in a more modern way.
- Raw cow, sheep, or goat milk is pasteurized (heated).
- Starter culture changes the lactose in the milk to lactic acid, which results in a solid form.
- Rennet is added, curds form and are cut to release the whey.
- The curds are molded into a wheel, and blue cheese mold is added.
- The cheese is then aged for 60 to 90 days.
- During that time, holes are poked in the cheese to encourage mold growth. The blue veins in the cheese are mold growth.
Types of Blue Cheese
- Roquefort is a sheep’s milk cheese produced in France. Only cheeses that are produced and aged in caves of Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon may bear the Roquefort name. The mold used is distinctive to the local caves (although today, it is grown in a laboratory). There are specific processes that must be followed to maintain the cheese’s authenticity. As a result, Roquefort is often called the King of Cheeses.
- Stilton is made in three specific counties of England using pasteurized cow’s milk. Like Roquefort, Blue Stilton is made using specific guidelines concerning location made, shape, the blue veins, the % of milk fat, and the taste profile.
- Gorgonzola is made from cow’s milk and originates in Italy. It’s described as crumbly, salty, buttery, and firm with a bite from its blue veins. It is produced worldwide, but the best varieties come from northern Italy and the United States. It can come in a sweet flavor or a more aged variety called Gorgonzola Piccante. Italian regulations protect true Gorgonzola, but gorgonzola with a small “g” is a generic term for the cheese produced elsewhere.
- Cabrales is a blue cheese made by dairy farmers in Spain. It can be made from cow’s milk or blended with goat and/or sheep milk. It imparts a stronger flavor when different kinds of milk are used. Queso de Cabrales is a protected cheese made in the Spanish mountains. It is aged for two to five months in natural caves. Some varieties of Cabrales have been sold for large amounts of money at auction.
Is Blue Cheese Healthy?
Blue Cheese is high in calcium and contains a component called spermidine, which reduces heart disease. It is also rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Niacin, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Phosphorous.
Blue Cheese has been linked to fighting osteoporosis, improving memory, helping in building muscles, improving your immune system, and being healthy for your heart.
Roquefort is considered one of the healthiest cheese choices.
Blue Cheese should be consumed in moderation due to its high-fat content, a risk factor for heart disease and cancers when eaten in excess. Those that are lactose intolerant should find brands that are friendly to them.
Blue Cheese Nutritional Information
BelGioioso Blue Cheese Crumbles
Ingredients:
- Cultured Pasteurized Milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Mold
Nutrition Facts (per 3 Tbsp):
- 100 Calories
- 8g Fat (6g Saturated)
- 20mg Cholesterol
- 340mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrates
- 6g Protein
- 10% Daily Value of Calcium
Rogue Creamery Enraptured Blue Cheese
Organic and Gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- USDA Certified Organic Pasteurized Cow Milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Cheese Cultures
- Penicillium Roqueforti
- Organic Wine
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
Nutrition Information is not listed on the label, but here are general nutrition facts for blue cheese.
- 100 Calories
- 8g Fat (5g Saturated, 2g Monounsaturated)
- 21mg Cholesterol
- 395mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrate
- 6g Protein
- 150mg Calcium
- .09mg Iron
- 73mg Potassium
- 56mcg Vitamin A
Boar’s Head Blue Cheese
Ingredients:
- Cow’s Milk
- Gluten-free
- No MSG
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 90 Calories
- 8g Fat (5g Saturated, 1.5g Monounsaturated)
- 30mg Cholesterol
- 280mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 6g Protein
- 6% Daily Value Vitamin A
- 15% Daily Value Calcium
Crystal Farms Gorgonzola
Made in Wisconsin, they make a blue cheese as well. All of their cheese is gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Cultured Milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Cellulose Powder
- Potato Starch
- Corn Starch
- Natamycin
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 100 Calories
- 8g Fat (5g Saturated)
- 25mg Cholesterol
- 395mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 7g Protein
Organic Valley Blue Cheese Crumbles
Organic Valley uses organic ingredients and no gluten ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Organic Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Vegetarian Enzyme
- Animal Enzyme
- Penicillium Roqueforti
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 100 Calories
- 8g Fat (5g Saturated)
- 25mg Cholesterol
- 310mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrates
- 6g Protein
- 10% Daily Value of Calcium
- 2% Daily Value of Potassium
Cropwell Bishop Creamery Blue Stilton Cheese
This is a specialty cheese out of England.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Cow’s Milk
- Salt
- Vegetarian Rennet
- Dairy Cultures
- Mold Cultures (Penicillium Roqueforti)
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
- 410 Calories
- 35g Fat (23g Saturated)
- .1g Carbohydrates
- 7g Protein
- 0g Salt
Roquefort Papillon
Top-of-the-line authentic Roquefort cheese from France. It contains no gluten ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Raw Sheep’s Milk
- Salt
- Enzyme
- Cheese Cultures
- Penicillium Roqueforti
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 110 Calories
- 10g Fat (6g Saturated)
- 30mg Cholesterol
- 430mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 6g Protein
- 198mg Calcium
Alternatives
Feta
Made in Greece of sheep or goat milk (or a combination of the two). It has a salty, tangy, and mildly acidic taste. It can be crumbled in the place of blue cheese.
Frigo Crumbled Feta Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Powdered Cellulose (to prevent caking)
- Natamycin (to protect flavor)
Nutrition Facts (1/4 cup):
- 80 Calories
- 6g Fat (4g Saturated)
- 20mg Cholesterol
- 320mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrate (Less than 1g Fiber)
- 5g Protein
Queso Fresco
Queso Fresco is a Mexican cheese made from cow and goat milk. Labeled gluten-free and made with milk not treated with rBST hormones.
Cacique Queso Fresco
Ingredients:
- Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Milk and Skim Milk
- Sea Salt
- Enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
- 80 Calories
- 6g Fat (4g Saturated)
- 20mg Cholesterol
- 200mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 6g Protein
Maytag
Developed at Iowa State University using family Holstein cattle’s milk. It is a small batch cheese with green veins and a moist cheese with an intense and fruity taste.
Maytag Blue Cheese
A small-batch blue cheese made since 1941 in Iowa. It is gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cultures
- Salt
- Microbial Rennet (non-GMO)
- Penicillin Roqueforti (gluten-free)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 110 Calories
- 9g Fat (5g Saturated)
- 30mg Cholesterol
- 250mg Sodium
- Less than 1g Carbohydrates)
- 6g Protein
- 96mg Calcium
- 33mg Potassium
Goat Cheese
Made from goat’s milk, this cheese is creamier and less tangy but can still be used in place of blue cheese in salads.
Montchevre Original Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
- Cultured Pasteurized Goat’s Milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 80 Calories
- 6g Fat (4.5g Saturated)
- 25mg Cholesterol
- 80mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrates
- 5g Protein
Cheddar
Cheddar cheese comes in many tastes – from milk to extra sharp. While it doesn’t have the crumbly texture of blue cheese, it can complement many dishes. Cabot cheeses are lactose-free, gluten-free, kosher, and contain no artificial growth hormones.
Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients:
- Fresh pasteurized milk
- Cheese cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Annatto (if colored)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 110 Calories
- 9g Fat (6g Saturated)
- 30mg Cholesterol
- 200mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrates
- 7g Protein
- 20% Daily Value of Calcium
Sheese Vegan Blue Cheese
Ingredients:
- Water
- Coconut Oil
- Modified Potato Starch
- Maize Starch
- Gluten-free Oat Fiber
- Modified Maize Starch
- Carrageenan
- Guar gum
- Natural Flavorings
- Salt
- Tricalcium Citrate
- Dairy-Free Lactic Acid
- Dairy-Free Sodium Lactate
- Spirulina
- Safflower
- Carrot
- Apple
- Mixed Carotenes
Nutrition Facts (per 100g):
- 327 Calories
- 26.8g Fat (21.5g Saturated)
- 18.6g Carbohydrates (4.7g Fiber, .5g Sugar)
- .40g Protein
- 1.47g Salt
Related Questions
Should you Eat Blue Cheese While Pregnant?
If blue cheese is made from unpasteurized milk, it can increase your risk of Listeria poisoning, which is dangerous to unborn babies. Look on the label and buy only brands that specifically say they use pasteurized milk.
Is the Mold in Blue Cheese Safe?
Yes, the mold used to make blue cheese is called Penicillium. It does not produce mycotoxins and is considered safe to eat. If blue cheese starts to emit an odd smell or changes in the way it looks, there is a risk of food poisoning when consumed. Choose high-quality cheese and consume it before the date on the package. Store it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.
Can I Freeze Blue Cheese?
Yes, most cheeses can be frozen, although it may alter the texture and appearance of the cheese.
Is Blue Cheese Keto-Friendly?
Yes, it is higher in fat and has virtually no carbs. It is very keto-friendly.