Blue cheese is a popular type of cheese known for its characteristic blue veins and tangy, salty flavor. It’s produced by inoculating cow’s, goat’s or sheep’s milk with mold spores called Penicillium. This allows the mold to grow within the cheese, creating the blue veins and distinct flavor.
While traditional blue cheese is made simply by adding Penicillium cultures to the milk, some modern blue cheese makers also add other ingredients to their products. One common additive is wheat flour, which gives the cheese more of a creamy texture. The problem with adding wheat flour is that it contains gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley and rye that some people cannot tolerate.
For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune response and causes damage to the small intestine. This is why those with gluten-related disorders must follow a strict gluten-free diet, avoiding all foods and drinks containing gluten.
So why would some blue cheese contain gluten, while other types are gluten-free? Let’s take a closer look at the factors that determine whether or not a blue cheese contains gluten.
Blue Cheese Ingredients
There are just two basic ingredients needed to produce pure, traditional blue cheese:
– Milk (cow’s milk, goat’s milk or sheep’s milk)
– Penicillium cultures
Milk naturally contains the protein casein which helps give blue cheese its crumbly yet creamy texture when coagulated. The Penicillium mold cultures provide the distinct “blue” veining and robust flavor as they grow.
Neither milk nor Penicillium contain any gluten, meaning traditionally-made blue cheese is inherently gluten-free.
Some modern commercial producers, however, add extra ingredients to their blue cheese which can introduce gluten:
– Wheat flour
– Breadcrumbs
– Beer
– Stabilizers
The most common additive is wheat flour, added to improve the smoothness and creaminess of the cheese texture. Breadcrumbs and beer may also be mixed in for flavor. Finally, some stabilizers used in processed foods contain gluten.
So if pure, cultured milk and Penicillium spores are used to make the cheese, it will be gluten-free. But if any wheat flour, breadcrumbs, beer or gluten-containing stabilizers are added, the blue cheese will contain gluten.
Always check the ingredient list to determine if gluten-containing ingredients have been added. Also look for a “gluten-free” label from a third-party certification organization.
Why Add Gluten?
If traditional blue cheese made from milk and Penicillium is already gluten-free, why would some producers add gluten-containing ingredients?
There are two main reasons:
Texture
The most common reason is to alter the texture of the cheese. Wheat flour contains gluten proteins that can give blue cheese a richer, creamier mouthfeel. The gluten helps bind the cheese and keep it from crumbling apart.
For commercial producers looking to achieve a certain uniformity and smoothness of their product, adding wheat flour helps them accomplish this textural goal.
Flavor
Some blue cheese makers also add gluten-containing ingredients like breadcrumbs or beer to infuse more distinct flavors. The wheat and yeast from breadcrumbs or beer impart their own unique tastes.
Gluten-free substitutes like cornstarch or tapioca flour lack the same flavor-enhancing qualities. So some producers opt for gluten-containing additives to boost the flavor.
Are All Blue Cheeses Made with Wheat Flour?
While it’s common practice for some large-scale manufacturers, not all blue cheese producers add wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients.
Many traditional, artisanal cheese makers use the classic simple ingredients of milk and Penicillium. This means there are plenty of smaller brands crafting delicious gluten-free blue cheeses.
Some examples of widely available gluten-free blue cheese brands include:
Roth Cheese
Roth Cheese uses no wheat flour or gluten ingredients to make their blue cheeses like Buttermilk Blue and Cambozola. They rely on the inherent properties of milk and traditional cheesemaking techniques for texture and flavor development.
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese
This California artisanal producer makes award-winning Original Blue Cheese from only pasteurized cow’s milk and cultures. Their cheese is certified gluten-free.
Stilton Cheese
True Stilton blue cheese from England is made using just milk and traditional Penicillium roqueforti cultures. It has PDO protected status meaning no additives are permitted.
Gorgonzola Cheese
Like Stilton, real Italian Gorgonzola has a protected designation of origin. The only ingredients used are whole cow’s milk, salt and Penicillium cultures according to regulations, making it a gluten-free blue cheese.
What About Bleu Cheese Crumbles?
A note should be made for crumbled blue cheese products. These are often blended with stabilizers and anti-caking agents to prevent clumping.
Some of the additives used may contain gluten. Maltodextrin is a common one derived from wheat that acts as a stabilizer.
Also, because crumbled blue cheese is harder to inspect, it may be more likely to include wheat flour without it being obvious from looking at the product.
As always, check the labels and ingredient lists on crumbled blue cheese products. When in doubt, choose a whole blue cheese wedge you can inspect to ensure it’s gluten-free.
Key Things that Make Blue Cheese Non Gluten-Free
Here are the key things to look out for that indicate a blue cheese contains gluten:
Contains Wheat Flour
This is the most common gluten-containing ingredient added to blue cheese. Wheat flour may be listed as:
– Wheat flour
– Flour
– Durum wheat flour
– All-purpose flour
Any form of wheat flour means the blue cheese is not gluten-free.
Contains Breadcrumbs
Some blue cheese has breadcrumbs mixed in, usually for added flavor. Since breadcrumbs are made from wheat bread, they contain gluten.
Contains Beer
Certain types like Gorgonzola Piccante may include beer for extra flavor. But since beer is made from gluten-containing grains like barley or wheat, it’s not gluten-free. Opt for plain Gorgonzola if you need a gluten-free option.
Contains Gluten Stabilizers
Watch out for stabilizers in crumbled blue cheese products. Common gluten-containing stabilizers are maltodextrin and citric acid from wheat.
No “Gluten-Free” Label
If a blue cheese doesn’t say it’s certified gluten-free, be wary. Lack of a verified gluten-free label means it likely contains gluten.
How to Pick Gluten-Free Blue Cheese
When buying blue cheese, here are some tips to make sure you get a gluten-free option:
Check the Ingredients List
Read the label closely and make sure no gluten-containing ingredients are listed. Watch for wheat flour, breadcrumbs, beer or gluten stabilizers.
Look for Gluten-Free Certification
Seek out blue cheeses that are certified gluten-free from a third party like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. This independent testing ensures it meets gluten-free standards.
Choose Artisanal or Farmstead Cheeses
Opt for artisanal blue cheeses from small creameries that use traditional cheesemaking methods over mass-produced brands. These are less likely to contain gluten additives.
Ask About Ingredients if Unsure
You can always contact the cheese company directly if the ingredients aren’t clear. Ask if their blue cheese contains any wheat-based additives.
Stick to Known Gluten-Free Brands
For assurance, buy blue cheese from reputable gluten-free companies like Point Reyes or Roth Cheese that are committed to gluten-free production.
Cooking and Baking with Blue Cheese
To enjoy it at home, look for naturally gluten-free blue cheese so it’s safe to cook and bake with too. Here are some recipe ideas:
Blue Cheese Dressing
Make a simple blue cheese dressing for salads by combining crumbled blue cheese, buttermilk, mayo, lemon juice, garlic and herbs.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Blend crumbled blue cheese into a creamy hot buffalo chicken dip with ranch dressing, cream cheese, cheddar and hot sauce.
Blue Cheese Compound Butter
Mix crumbled Roquefort into softened butter with shallots and thyme. Spread on steaks or bread.
Blue Cheese and Walnut Baked Brie
Top a wheel of brie cheese with walnuts, honey and gluten-free blue cheese before baking until melted.
Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza
Top gluten-free pizza crust with gorgonzola dolce, sliced pears, caramelized onions and walnuts.
Gluten-Free Substitutes
If you can’t find any gluten-free blue cheese varieties in stores, there are some substitutes you can use:
Feta Cheese
For a bit of tangy flavor, use crumbled feta cheese in dishes instead of blue cheese.
Gorgonzola
Look for certified gluten-free Gorgonzola if you can’t find other blue cheese options.
Goat Cheese
The tangy flavor of goat cheese can stand in for crumbled blue cheese in many recipes.
Cashew Cheese
For a vegan substitute, make blue cheese-style cashew cheese using cultures.
Nutritional Yeast
Add a bit of “cheesy” flavor with nutritional yeast flakes.
The Bottom Line
So why isn’t all blue cheese gluten-free? While traditional varieties made solely from milk and cultures are gluten-free, some commercial producers add wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients to alter texture and flavor.
To enjoy blue cheese safely on a gluten-free diet, choose products that are certified gluten-free and made without questionable additives. Or stick to brands known for making artisanal blue cheese the traditional way using real, gluten-free ingredients.
With so many quality gluten-free options available, there’s no need to miss out on delicious blue cheese if you’re avoiding gluten. A good Stilton, Gorgonzola or Cambozola can add bold flavor and creaminess to recipes and meals. Just read labels carefully and get to know reputable gluten-free brands to find a blue cheese that can safely be part of your diet.
