Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese vs Beaufort Cheese

Q: Is Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese the same as Beaufort Cheese?

No. Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese and Beaufort Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese for Beaufort Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese for Beaufort Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Does Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese taste like Beaufort Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese or Beaufort 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.

Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese

Beaufort Cheese

Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese is a semi-hard, loose, and open with a buttery feel cow-milk cheese, while Beaufort Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese?

Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese is a full-fat cheese made from cow’s milk in Lancashire, England. It contains a minimum of 48% butterfat in the moisture-free substance and a maximum moisture content of 48%. The cheese has a creamy uniform color, a loose and open texture with a buttery feel, and is available in both traditional cylindrical and block forms. The flavor varies from clean and mellow in younger cheeses to sharp and tangy in mature ones. The cheese is aged for a minimum of 3-4 weeks, with full maturity reached at about six months. Its production follows traditional Lancashire cheesemaking methods, including the blending of 24-hour and 48-hour curd, light pressing, and controlled maturation. The region’s sandstone bedrock, soft water, and lush pasture contribute to the cheese’s distinct buttery texture and flavor.

What Is Beaufort Cheese?

Beaufort is a smooth, creamy cheese from the Savoie region of France. Known for its distinct concave wheel shape, it is produced from raw cow's milk and aged in mountain caves for a minimum of five months. Beaufort has a strong, sweet taste and is often used in fondue due to its excellent melting properties.

What's the Difference Between Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese and Beaufort Cheese?

Texture: Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese (Semi-hard, loose, and open with a buttery feel), Beaufort Cheese (Hard)
Rind: Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese (Bandaged, waxed, buttered, or vacuum-packed), Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color)
Aging: Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese (Minimum 3-4 weeks, fully mature at 6 months), Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese	Beaufort Cheese
Country of Origin	—	France
Specific Origin	Lancashire, England	Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region
Milk Type	Cow	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Raw
Texture	Semi-hard, loose, and open with a buttery feel	Hard
Rind	Bandaged, waxed, buttered, or vacuum-packed	Even yellow color
Aging	Minimum 3-4 weeks, fully mature at 6 months	5 to 12+ months
Taste	Clean and mellow when young, sharp and tangy when mature	—

Taste Comparison: Does Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese Taste Like Beaufort Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese shows buttery, tangy, while Beaufort Cheese leans toward ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits. Aging plays into this as well. Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese at minimum 3-4 weeks, fully mature at 6 months develops a different profile than Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months.

Can You Substitute Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese for Beaufort Cheese?

In most recipes, Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese and Beaufort Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, loose, and open with a buttery feel bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese or Beaufort Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, loose, and open with a buttery feel cheese, go with Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese. For a hard profile, Beaufort Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese the same as Beaufort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese is typically aged minimum 3-4 weeks, fully mature at 6 months, Beaufort Cheese 5 to 12+ months.

Is Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese similar to Beaufort Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese for Beaufort Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese taste like Beaufort Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese made of?

Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged minimum 3-4 weeks, fully mature at 6 months.

What is Beaufort Cheese made of?

Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese or Beaufort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese is semi-hard, loose, and open with a buttery feel, while Beaufort Cheese is hard.