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What is Danish Blue Cheese?

Cassie L. Damewood
Cassie L. Damewood

Danish blue cheese, sometimes called Danablu, is a semi-soft cow’s milk cheese commonly sold in the shape of a wedge, drum or block. Its appearance is distinguished by an off-white, creamy white or light yellow, slightly moist base riddled with distinct blue veins. Its taste is frequently described as biting and salty, and its odor is generally considered strong and heady. The rind on Danish blue cheese is edible, as is normally the case with other semisoft cheeses.

The blue veins in Danish blue cheese are made through the insertion of copper rods or wires into the cheese curds while they are forming and before the cheese is aged. Certain other blue cheeses insert the rods and mold after the cheese is formed. In both cases, the pathways formed by these rods are filled with mold called Penicillium roqueforti that is evenly distributed throughout the mass. After this step is complete, the cheese is aged in a cool, dark place, traditionally a cave designed for the purpose, for eight to 12 weeks. This process yields a cheese that normally has a fat content between 25% and 30%.

Danish blue cheese is made from cow's milk.
Danish blue cheese is made from cow's milk.

This cheese was created by Marius Boel in Denmark in the early part of the 20th century. It was meant to rival the taste, texture and aroma of Roquefort cheese, which was reportedly invented in 1070 AD. Famous predecessors to Roquefort and Danish blue cheese include Stilton, which can be traced back to the 18th century, and Gorgonzola, generally considered the oldest blue cheese, thought to have originated around 879 AD. Interestingly, history indicates that Gorgonzola did not have its distinguishing blue veins until the 11th century.

Roquefort goes through a series of processes, including salting and natural ripening in caves.
Roquefort goes through a series of processes, including salting and natural ripening in caves.

Culinary accounts of blue cheese history indicate it was most likely an accidental occurrence. The story is that caves were used to store many types of cheeses and other products that required refrigeration since there were no types of man-made refrigeration techniques available. When the temperatures and moisture levels in the caves fluctuated, molds reportedly formed on some of the cheeses. Instead of cutting the mold off of some of the cheese, a worker tasted it and found it had improved the original flavor of the product. Further experimentation found that inserting the mold into the cheese produced even better flavor and texture.

For years, Danish blue cheese was served in many countries mainly as a snack accompanied by crackers or toast, a crumbly topping for salads or with fruit as part of the dessert course. It is traditional in Denmark to top biscuits and breads with Danish blue cheese and serve it for breakfast or as a snack. This cheese, along with other varieties of blue cheese, has gained popularity in recent years as a topping for hamburgers, steaks and baked potatoes as well.

Discussion Comments

discographer

@donasmrs-- Danish blue cheese is actually not as moldy as some of its counterparts. It's mild in comparison to Gorgonzola for example.

If anyone is going to start eating blue cheese, I think that Danish blue cheese is a good place to start. I love that it's creamy and semi-soft unlike crumbly blue cheeses and it's relatively low in fat.

If you get a chance to buy Danish blue cheese again, please give it a try. Have it fresh bread, crackers or fruit like berries. I don't think you will be disappointed.

stoneMason

@donasmrs-- I'm exactly the opposite, blue cheeses are my favorite. I love Danish blue cheese, Stilton blue cheese and Gorgonzola. The stronger, the better.

Did you know that back in the day when penicillin wasn't available in the form it is today, people would actually place blue cheese on their wounds to prevent and treat infection? Blue cheese smells strong because of the bacteria it contains, but it's very beneficial.

donasmrs

I'm not a fan of blue cheeses. My husband tried to get me to try Danish blue cheese when we were in Denmark and I just couldn't. There is just something about moldy cheese that puts me off. It also smells too strong.

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    • Danish blue cheese is made from cow's milk.
      By: marco iacobucci
      Danish blue cheese is made from cow's milk.
    • Roquefort goes through a series of processes, including salting and natural ripening in caves.
      By: Per-Olof Forsberg
      Roquefort goes through a series of processes, including salting and natural ripening in caves.