Bushra Griffith
Blue cheese or ranch? This is a question that plagues many when it comes to choosing a dip for their chicken wings or a dressing for their salad. Both dressings have a buttermilk base but differ in texture and seasonings. Blue cheese is often considered to have a stronger flavour, pairing well with spicier foods, while ranch has a milder flavour, making it a better choice for salads with sweeter flavours. Despite blue cheese being the traditional pairing with chicken wings, ranch has gained popularity over the years, with some surveys showing that it is now the preferred choice for wings, especially among younger people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Ranch: mild; Blue Cheese: strong |
| Use cases | Ranch: salads with milder or sweeter flavours, dipping raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks; Blue Cheese: dishes with stronger or spicier flavours, such as spicy buffalo wings, steak, burgers, or sandwiches |
| Calories | Ranch: 140 calories per serving (2 tablespoons); Blue Cheese: varies, but generally lower in calories |
| Fat | Ranch: 14 grams per serving; Blue Cheese: varies, but generally lower in fat |
| Carbohydrates | Ranch: 2 grams per serving; Blue Cheese: varies |
| Popularity | Ranch: more popular among younger age groups (under 30s) and as a default option provided by restaurants; Blue Cheese: preferred by true wing enthusiasts and in certain regions, such as Western New York and Buffalo |
| Texture | Ranch: smooth and creamy; Blue Cheese: varies, can be chunky or crumbled |
| Ingredients | Ranch: buttermilk and mayonnaise base; Blue Cheese: sour cream, and sometimes milk or other types of animal milk (cow, goat, or sheep) |
| Colour | Ranch: white; Blue Cheese: white with blue-coloured marbling due to the addition of Penicillium mould |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese is the traditional pairing with chicken wings, but ranch is more popular
- Blue cheese is made from cow's, goat's or sheep's milk, while ranch is buttermilk and mayonnaise-based
- Blue cheese has a stronger flavour than ranch
- Blue cheese is one of the most hated foods in America, whereas ranch is preferred by younger people
- Blue cheese is French in origin, while ranch was invented in California
Blue cheese is the traditional pairing with chicken wings, but ranch is more popular
Blue cheese is the traditional pairing with chicken wings, with its origin in Buffalo, New York. The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, which claims to have invented the Buffalo wing, served "Bleu Cheese Stuffed Celery" as one of its most popular appetizers in 1964. The blue cheese was served with the first plate of wings, and the pairing became iconic, like hot dogs and mustard, or peanut butter and jelly.
However, despite its traditional status, blue cheese is not universally loved. In fact, it is the fourth most hated food in America, according to a 2021 blog by Kathia Bello of The Recipe. This may be due to its strong flavor and smell, which come from the inclusion of sour cream and sometimes milk. The strong flavor of blue cheese makes it a good pairing with spicy foods, like chicken wings, as it can stand up to and complement the heat.
Ranch, on the other hand, has a milder flavor, making it a better choice for milder or sweeter salads and for dipping raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks. It is a buttermilk and mayonnaise-based dip, and its smooth and creamy texture makes it perfect for cooling down hot wings or providing a flavor balance to sweet wings.
While blue cheese is the traditional pairing, ranch has gained popularity, especially among younger generations. A recent study by Curd is the Word found that 71% of people under 30 prefer ranch on their wings, and this preference remained the highest across all age groups. Other surveys have found similar results, with 59% of respondents preferring ranch, and another finding that 43% preferred ranch while only 30% preferred blue cheese.
Ultimately, the choice between blue cheese and ranch comes down to personal preference, and how you like your wings.
Blue Cheese Wedge Salad: Carb Count at Outback
You may want to see also
Blue cheese is made from cow's, goat's or sheep's milk, while ranch is buttermilk and mayonnaise-based
Blue cheese is a distinct variety of cheese made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. It gets its name from the blue-green veins that run through it, which are produced by inoculating the cheese with Penicillium glaucum during the ripening process. This variety of cheese has a strong flavour and is often paired with dishes that feature stronger or spicier flavours, such as buffalo wings or steak. It is also commonly used in burgers or sandwiches. The process of making blue cheese involves the removal of the "hairy layer" in the casein micelle, which is composed of κ-casein, through the use of the enzyme rennet. This removal allows the casein micelles to aggregate and form curds, which are then made into blue cheese.
On the other hand, ranch is a popular salad dressing that originated in the United States during the early 1950s. It was created by Steven Henson, a plumbing contractor from Nebraska who cooked for his work crews. The dressing is typically made with a base of buttermilk and mayonnaise, along with other ingredients such as salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, and herbs like chives, parsley, and dill. Sour cream and yogurt are sometimes used as substitutes or additions to the base. The mild flavour of ranch dressing makes it a suitable choice for salads with milder or sweeter flavours, such as a Cobb salad, or for dipping raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks. It has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States since 1992 and is widely used as a dip and flavouring for snacks and other foods.
Carrabba's Blue Cheese Dressing: Is It on the Menu?
You may want to see also
Blue cheese has a stronger flavour than ranch
While the choice between blue cheese and ranch dressing often comes down to personal preference, blue cheese typically has a stronger flavour than ranch. This is because blue cheese is made with a specific type of cheese, Roquefort, which has a distinct and pungent taste. In contrast, ranch dressing has a milder flavour, making it a popular choice for salads with sweeter toppings, such as a Cobb salad, or for dipping raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks. On the other hand, blue cheese dressing is better suited for dishes with bolder flavours, like spicy buffalo wings, steak, burgers, or sandwiches with robust toppings.
Both dressings share a buttermilk base, but differ in texture and seasonings. Blue cheese dressing is often described as chunky and bold, while ranch is known for its creaminess and tanginess. The stronger flavour of blue cheese can be attributed to the specific type of cheese used, as well as the addition of various seasonings.
The origin of blue cheese dressing is a bit unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. One of the earliest known recipes was called Roquefort dressing, found in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book dating back to 1928. This recipe was named after the Roquefort blue cheese from France that was used as a key ingredient.
Ranch dressing, on the other hand, gained popularity in the 1970s when the seasoning mix created by Henson was sold to Clorox and became known as Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing. While ranch lovers appreciate its mild and creamy taste, those who prefer blue cheese enjoy the robust and distinctive flavour it adds to their meals.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Gluten-Free or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Blue cheese is one of the most hated foods in America, whereas ranch is preferred by younger people
Blue cheese is one of the most hated foods in America, with its strong flavour and pungent smell often cited as off-putting. In fact, according to a poll, about 34% of people surveyed said they couldn't stand blue-veined cheeses like British Stilton, French Roquefort, and Spanish Valdeon. This aversion may be due to the acidity, metallic notes, and unusual texture found in some blue cheeses. Despite this, blue cheese has its enthusiasts, and some varieties, like Oregon's Rogue River Blue, have even won awards.
On the other hand, ranch dressing is a favourite among many Americans, especially the younger generation. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a versatile condiment that pairs well with salads, dips, and even snacks like Doritos. The origin of ranch dressing can be traced back to the Hidden Valley Guest Ranch in California, where it was created by Steve and Gayle Henson in the mid-20th century. The couple shared their unique buttermilk dressing with guests, who quickly fell in love with the flavour and began ordering more. The Hensons eventually sold the rights to their dressing, and by the 1980s, it had become a popular dip and the country's most favoured salad dressing.
While blue cheese and ranch dressing may seem like polar opposites in terms of public opinion, they do share some similarities. Both dressings are made with a buttermilk base and are known for their versatility in the kitchen. However, their flavour profiles differ significantly, with blue cheese boasting a bold, pungent taste that can enhance heartier dishes, while ranch's mild flavour complements lighter, sweeter dishes.
The preference for ranch dressing over blue cheese among younger people may be due to several factors. Firstly, ranch has had a longer presence in popular culture and food trends, especially with the rise of fast food and snacks that use ranch as a flavour enhancer. Secondly, the milder taste of ranch may appeal to younger palates that are still developing their flavour preferences. Lastly, the marketing and branding of ranch dressing have played a role in its popularity. The term "ranch" evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort, and the dressing has become a staple in many households.
While blue cheese may not be as widely loved as ranch, it has its own dedicated following. For those who enjoy blue cheese, it offers a complex and robust flavour that is worth savouring.
The Mystery Behind Blue Cheese: Living or Nonliving?
You may want to see also
Blue cheese is French in origin, while ranch was invented in California
Blue cheese and ranch dressing are two popular condiments with distinct flavours and origins. Blue cheese, known for its strong flavour and characteristic blue veins, has its roots in France, while ranch dressing, a mild and creamy American creation, was invented in California.
The history of blue cheese dates back to the 7th century when it is believed to have originated in a cave outside the village of Roquefort in France. According to legend, a shepherd accidentally left his lunch of bread and cheese in a cave and returned months later to find it infested with penicillium roqueforti, a type of mould that gave birth to the first Roquefort blue cheese. Old French texts suggest that blue cheese moulds colonised the cheese from within, and genetic studies have supported this, indicating that blue cheese moulds are distinct from food-spoiling moulds found on surfaces.
On the other hand, ranch dressing was created much more recently, in the early 1950s. Its origin story can be traced to Steve Henson, a plumber-turned-cowboy from Nebraska, who started cooking for his coworkers in Alaska. In 1956, Henson and his wife, Gayle, moved to Santa Barbara County, California, and purchased a guest ranch in San Marcos Pass, renaming it Hidden Valley Ranch. Here, he perfected his buttermilk dressing recipe, which became a staple at their dinner table and soon gained popularity with guests.
While blue cheese has its roots in ancient French traditions and legends, ranch dressing is a modern invention that came about through experimentation and a desire to create a delicious and versatile salad dressing. Both condiments have become staples in their own right, with blue cheese prized for its strong flavour and ranch dressing for its versatility and mild flavour that complements a variety of dishes.
Today, blue cheese continues to be associated with France, particularly the region of Roquefort, where the famous Roquefort blue cheese originates. Meanwhile, ranch dressing has become a household name in the United States, with various manufacturers producing it and numerous restaurants incorporating it into their menus. While blue cheese has a more specialised and traditional reputation, ranch dressing has become a cultural phenomenon, even spawning restaurants dedicated solely to its many variations.
Hot Dog, Blue Cheese: A Match Made in Heaven?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is a French dressing or dip that is white in colour but has blue-coloured marbling due to the addition of a mould called Penicillium. It is made from cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk and has a strong, salty taste.
Ranch is a mild-flavoured dressing or dip that is a good choice for salads or for dipping raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks. It is made from buttermilk and mayonnaise and has a smooth and creamy texture.
Blue cheese has a strong flavour, so it goes well with dishes that have stronger or spicier flavours. This includes spicy buffalo wings, steak, burgers, or sandwiches with bold toppings.
Ranch has a mild flavour, so it is a good choice for milder dishes such as a Cobb salad or a salad with fruit. It is also commonly paired with chicken wings, especially in the United States.
