What Is the Difference Between Feta & Bleu Cheese?

Cheese is a favorite food of many people.

Both feta cheese and bleu cheese are tasty additions to salads and a variety of meat and vegetable dishes. However, the two cheeses differ significantly in their respective origins, ingredients and appearances.

Origins

Both cheeses have historic European origins. However, while feta cheese is heavily associated with Greek cuisine and culture, bleu cheese is more prominent in France and in French foods due to its French origins.

Ingredients

Though both cheeses can be made from cow, goat or sheep's milk, they are made in different ways. When bleu cheese is prepared, a form of mold is added to it which helps to give the cheese its color and flavor. By contrast, feta cheese does not contain mold; rather the creation of feta cheese involves soaking the cheese in brine in order to develop its salty flavor.

Appearance

As its name suggests, bleu cheese has a distinctive blue-green appearance. Feta cheese is generally a soft yellow or white-colored cheese.

References

• American University Mandala Projects: TED Case Studies Feta Cheese
• The Straight Dope: What makes blue cheese blue?
• UC -- Clermont College Biology Homepage: Feta Cheese