blue cheese: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral; used in everyday, culinary, and formal food contexts.
Quick answer
What does “blue cheese” mean?
A cheese characterized by streaks or spots of blue, blue-green, or greyish-blue mould, resulting from the intentional introduction of Penicillium cultures during production, giving it a sharp, piquant, and often salty flavour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cheese characterized by streaks or spots of blue, blue-green, or greyish-blue mould, resulting from the intentional introduction of Penicillium cultures during production, giving it a sharp, piquant, and often salty flavour.
Can refer to the general category of cheeses produced with blue mould cultures (e.g., Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola). In figurative or humorous use, can describe something visibly mouldy or spoiled.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same term. Specific national varieties are named (e.g., Stilton in the UK, Maytag Blue in the US).
Connotations
Slightly more associated with traditional British and European cheeseboards in the UK context. In the US, it may have stronger connotations as a gourmet or acquired-taste ingredient.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects within food-related discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “blue cheese” in a Sentence
[ADJ] blue cheeseblue cheese [VERB][VERB] blue cheese [PREP] [NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blue cheese” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They blue-cheese the sauce to give it a kick. (invented/rare culinary verb)
- The dairy blues its cheeses using traditional methods. (rare)
American English
- They 'blue' the cheese for six weeks. (rare, informal)
adverb
British English
- The cheese was flavoured blue-cheese style. (highly marked)
American English
- The dip tasted overwhelmingly blue cheese. (informal, as adverb)
adjective
British English
- He prefers a blue-cheese dressing on his salad.
- It's a blue-cheese flavour crisp.
American English
- She ordered the blue cheese burger.
- It's a blue cheese dip.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in food retail, import/export, and hospitality menus (e.g., 'Our supplier specialises in artisan blue cheeses.').
Academic
Appears in food science, microbiology (Penicillium roqueforti), and culinary history texts.
Everyday
Common in cooking, shopping, and dining conversations (e.g., 'Would you like blue cheese on your burger?').
Technical
Used in dairy science and cheesemaking to describe a production method and cheese category.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blue cheese”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blue cheese”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blue cheese”
- Using plural 'blue cheeses' when referring to the substance (uncountable) is correct for varieties. Mispronouncing 'blue' with a clear /uː/ in American English (it's often shorter).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most are made with Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium glaucum, but the specific strain, milk type (cow, sheep, goat), and production method create distinct varieties like Roquefort, Stilton, and Gorgonzola.
The Penicillium mould in cheese is not the same as the antibiotic penicillin. Allergies to the antibiotic do not necessarily mean an allergy to the cheese mould, but consult a doctor if concerned.
The ageing process and mould activity break down fats and proteins, creating strong flavours. Salt is added to control mould growth and draw out moisture, contributing to the salty taste and firm texture.
Wrap it loosely in waxed paper or parchment, then place it in a sealed container in the fridge's vegetable drawer. This allows it to breathe slightly while preventing it from drying out or contaminating other foods.
A cheese characterized by streaks or spots of blue, blue-green, or greyish-blue mould, resulting from the intentional introduction of Penicillium cultures during production, giving it a sharp, piquant, and often salty flavour.
Blue cheese is usually neutral; used in everyday, culinary, and formal food contexts. in register.
Blue cheese: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbluː ˈtʃiːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblu ˈtʃiz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'blue cheese']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cheese with a map of blue rivers (the mould veins) running through it – that's BLUE cheese.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH/INTENSITY IS BLUE MOULD (e.g., 'a powerfully blue cheese').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that defines 'blue cheese'?