Bartlett Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese

Q: Is Bartlett Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No. Bartlett Cheese and Taleggio Cheese are distinct cheeses from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Bartlett Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Bartlett Cheese for Taleggio Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Bartlett Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Bartlett Cheese is a soft, artisan sheep-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center 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 Taleggio Cheese?

Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.

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

Origin: Bartlett Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Taleggio Cheese (Italy)
Milk type: Bartlett Cheese (sheep's milk), Taleggio Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Bartlett Cheese (unpasteurized), Taleggio Cheese (Heated to 90–95°F)
Texture: Bartlett Cheese (soft, artisan), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
Rind: Bartlett Cheese (mold ripened), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
Taste: Bartlett Cheese (buttery, milky), Taleggio Cheese (Sweet, delicate, slightly sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Bartlett Cheese	Taleggio Cheese
Country of Origin	England, Great Britain And United Kingdom	Italy
Specific Origin	Somerset	Val Taleggio, Po Valley
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Heated to 90–95°F
Texture	Soft, artisan	Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center
Rind	Mold ripened	Soft, thin, pinkish-red
Aging	—	At least 35 (up to 50) days
Taste	Buttery, milky	Sweet, delicate, slightly sour

Taste Comparison: Does Bartlett Cheese Taste Like Taleggio Cheese?

Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour character. On the nose, Bartlett Cheese offers aromatic, strong, contrasted with Taleggio Cheese's herbaceous, aromatic.

Can You Substitute Bartlett Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

Bartlett Cheese can stand in for Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour notes.

Which Is Better, Bartlett Cheese or Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, milky notes, while Taleggio Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, delicate, slightly sour.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bartlett Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

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

Is Bartlett Cheese similar to Taleggio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bartlett Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

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

Does Bartlett Cheese taste like Taleggio Cheese?

Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Taleggio Cheese is sweet, delicate, slightly sour. Aromas also diverge. Bartlett Cheese leans aromatic, strong, and Taleggio Cheese is closer to herbaceous, aromatic.

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 Taleggio Cheese made of?

Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Bartlett Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bartlett Cheese is soft, artisan, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.