Bartlett Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese
Bartlett Cheese is a soft, artisan sheep-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.
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 Red Leicester Cheese?
Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.
What's the Difference Between Bartlett Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?
- Origin: Bartlett Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
- Milk type: Bartlett Cheese (sheep's milk), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Bartlett Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
- Texture: Bartlett Cheese (soft, artisan), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
- Rind: Bartlett Cheese (mold ripened), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
- Taste: Bartlett Cheese (buttery, milky), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bartlett Cheese | Red Leicester Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Somerset | Leicestershire |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly |
| Rind | Mold ripened | Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) |
| Aging | — | 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial |
| Taste | Buttery, milky | Caramel, sweet |
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Where to buy Bartlett Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese
Bartlett Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Bartlett Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Bartlett Cheese offers aromatic, strong, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild.
Can You Substitute Bartlett Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese can stand in for Red Leicester Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Bartlett Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Bartlett Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, milky notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartlett Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bartlett Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow.
Is Bartlett Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bartlett Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bartlett Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Bartlett Cheese leans aromatic, strong, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.
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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?
Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Bartlett Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bartlett Cheese is soft, artisan, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.
See full profiles: Bartlett Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese.