Bartlett Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Bartlett Cheese is a soft sheep-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Bartlett Cheese?

Bartlett is a soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk in Somerset, England. It has a mold-ripened rind, which contributes to its aromatic and strong scent. The cheese is white in color and features a buttery and milky flavor profile. Its soft texture makes it an inviting choice for cheese boards or spreading on bread. Bartlett is appreciated for its rich taste and aromatic presence, offering a true taste of traditional English cheese-making.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What's the Difference Between Bartlett Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?

• Origin: Bartlett Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Bartlett Cheese (Sheep's milk), Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Bartlett Cheese (Soft), Parmesan Cheese (Hard)
• Rind: Bartlett Cheese (mold ripened), Parmesan Cheese (natural)
• Taste: Bartlett Cheese (buttery, milky), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bartlett Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. On the nose, Bartlett Cheese offers aromatic, strong, contrasted with Parmesan Cheese's nutty, strong.

Can You Substitute Bartlett Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

Bartlett Cheese can stand in for Parmesan Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Bartlett Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Bartlett Cheese. For a hard profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, milky notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bartlett Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bartlett Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk; Parmesan Cheese uses cow.

Is Bartlett Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bartlett Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bartlett Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Bartlett Cheese leans aromatic, strong, and Parmesan Cheese is closer to nutty, strong.

What is Bartlett Cheese made of?

Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Bartlett Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bartlett Cheese is soft, while Parmesan Cheese is hard.