American Cheese vs Swaledale Cheese
American Cheese
Swaledale Cheese
American Cheese is a semi-soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Swaledale Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, originating in England.
Buy American Cheese
Buy Swaledale Cheese
What Is American Cheese?
American cheese is a processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses with sodium citrate added so it pasteurizes without separating. It is mild, salty, and medium-firm, and it melts at a low temperature, which is why it lands on burgers and in grilled cheese.
What Is Swaledale Cheese?
Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.
What's the Difference Between American Cheese and Swaledale Cheese?
- Origin: American Cheese (United States), Swaledale Cheese (England)
- Milk type: American Cheese (Cow's milk), Swaledale Cheese (Cow's, sheep's and goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: American Cheese (pastuerized), Swaledale Cheese (raw)
- Texture: American Cheese (Semi-soft, processed), Swaledale Cheese (Semi-hard)
- Rind: American Cheese (rindless), Swaledale Cheese (grey-blue mould or natural wax)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| American Cheese | Swaledale Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | England |
| Specific Origin | The U.S. | Swaledale, North Yorkshire |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, sheep's and goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pastuerized | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-soft, processed | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Rindless | Grey-blue mould or natural wax |
| Aging | — | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Taste | Mild, salty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does American Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, American Cheese shows neutral and mild, salty, pairs with a range of meats and other ingredients, while Swaledale Cheese leans toward fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk.
Can You Substitute American Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
American Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard.
Which Is Better, American Cheese or Swaledale Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, processed cheese, go with American Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Swaledale Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Cheese the same as Swaledale Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. American Cheese originates in United States, while Swaledale Cheese comes from England. American Cheese is made from cow milk; Swaledale Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep.
Is American Cheese similar to Swaledale Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute American Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does American Cheese taste like Swaledale Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is American Cheese made of?
American Cheese is made from cow milk (pastuerized). It originates in United States.
What is Swaledale Cheese made of?
Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, American Cheese or Swaledale Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. American Cheese is semi-soft, processed, while Swaledale Cheese is semi-hard.