A Blue Cheese That Fizzled

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm a self-proclaimed blue cheese fanatic, and I've tried my fair share of varieties. Unfortunately, GrandBlu Intense with blue veining was a letdown. I bought it twice, hoping for a better experience, but the taste was identical both times. The first purchase was a block cut from the wheel, and the second was a triangle - neither impressed me. I've had other blue cheeses that wowed me with their rich flavors and textures, but this one just didn't cut it. The flavor profile is one-dimensional, and the texture can be a bit crumbly, which I don't enjoy. It's too salty, even for a blue cheese. I've had issues with the cheese crumbling apart when I try to slice it. Overall, the experience was just meh - nothing special or memorable.

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Tat3/10

KararKötü

Kalite4/10

Paketleme8/10

I'm a huge fan of blue cheeses, and I'm always on the lookout for new varieties to try. I even write reviews about them, and I'll include the links below.

GrandBlu Intense with blue veining was a purchase from the deli counter. The first time, they cut it off the wheel and weighed it in a paper bag. I was really disappointed the first time around, but I didn't let that discourage me. I bought it again, this time in a triangle, hoping for a better experience. Unfortunately, the taste was identical both times.

A little about the properties of blue cheeses

Blue cheeses are undoubtedly nutritious, as long as you stick to 50 grams a day. Eating more than that can actually be bad for your health. The high levels of Penicillium (that's penicillin) can cause problems with your gut, allergies, and even miscarriage.

But 50 grams is more than enough to give you a serious boost of nutrients that are also easily absorbed.

For example, a blue cheese with blue veining contains:

Vitamins A, D, B12, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as essential amino acids like arginine, valine, tryptophan, and histidine.

Blue cheese is great for your bones, heart, and blood vessels, it helps to clear out cholesterol, gives you a healthy dose of vitamin D, and even helps to prevent viral infections.

So, there are plenty of benefits.

But I did wonder, do all these benefits still apply if the cheese tastes awful?

Here's what the cheese looked like on the deli counter.

And here's the packaging for the pre-wrapped cheese. Nice design, by the way.

I was hoping for a great dinner and a great breakfast. I love blues with sweet tea or coffee. The saltiness creates a great combination. But this cheese didn't impress me at all.

It looks okay, especially for cheeses with mold. Although, the mold distribution is very uneven. Sometimes it's a lot, sometimes it's a little. This significantly affects the taste. I think the uneven pattern is due to the way the Penicillium spores are introduced. A cheesemaker uses a long needle to pierce the cheese head in several places.

The texture was another issue - it was hard to cut slices from this piece, and it crumbled badly. I'm guessing the cheese was under-temperatured or the temperature during the aging process was below normal. This can cause it to crumble.

By the way, crumbled cheese is way more enjoyable than sliced. Firstly, it's not as sharp, secondly, it's a delicacy for longer. I sometimes even grate it.

This cheese is ridiculously salty, and it's got a strong umami flavor. The smell and taste are very distinctive: pungent, makes your throat itch. So, it's impossible to eat it on its own, only with a bun and some oil.

Okay, maybe the cheese had gone bad... although, I've seen similar reviews from other foodies. It's unlikely that we all got bad cheese. I'd bought it twice, both loose and packaged.

But after eating two sandwiches with the sliced cheese, I felt really queasy. The experience was disgusting. I've had other cheeses without any issues.

So, I wouldn't recommend it. It's just not worth the risk.

Here's a link to the best brie I've ever had - cheese with white mold. The others are still on my to-try list.

I did end up eating these cheeses, but I didn't finish them. I had to get creative to make something edible. For example, mixing grated cheese with a bit of sausage - it was amazing. But with this cheese, it was just gross.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is GrandBlu Intense with blue veining a good option for blue cheese lovers?

Unfortunately, no. I've tried this cheese twice and was disappointed both times. It lacks depth and complexity in its flavor profile.

Can I use GrandBlu Intense with blue veining for cooking?

It's not the worst cheese for cooking, but it's not the best either. The flavor is pretty one-dimensional, so it might not add much to your dishes.

Is GrandBlu Intense with blue veining a good value for money?

It's relatively affordable, but you get what you pay for. I wouldn't say it's a great value for money, especially considering the lackluster flavor.

Can I return GrandBlu Intense with blue veining if I'm not satisfied?

I'm not sure about the return policy, but I'd recommend contacting the deli counter or the store where you purchased it for more information.

Is GrandBlu Intense with blue veining a good option for vegetarians?

Yes, it's a vegetarian cheese option. However, as I mentioned earlier, the flavor is pretty unimpressive.

Can I find GrandBlu Intense with blue veining in most grocery stores?

Yes, it's widely available in most grocery stores. However, I'd recommend checking the deli counter or the specialty cheese section for the best selection.

Is GrandBlu Intense with blue veining a good option for those who are new to blue cheese?

I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point. The flavor is pretty strong, and it might be overwhelming for those who are new to blue cheese.

Can I use GrandBlu Intense with blue veining for snacking?

It's not the worst cheese for snacking, but it's not the best either. The flavor is pretty one-dimensional, so it might not satisfy your snacking cravings.