Beaufort Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese

Q: Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No. Beaufort Cheese and Cheddar Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and England respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Beaufort Cheese for Cheddar Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Cheddar 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.

Beaufort Cheese

Cheddar Cheese

Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.

What Is Beaufort Cheese?

Beaufort is a firm raw cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps, part of the gruyère family. Its wheels take a concave shape from the beechwood hoop, and the cheese melts easily enough to be a standard choice for fondue.

What Is Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Cheddar Cheese?

Origin: Beaufort Cheese (France), Cheddar Cheese (England)
Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic))
Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Beaufort Cheese	Cheddar Cheese
Country of Origin	France	England
Specific Origin	Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized
Texture	Hard	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)
Rind	Even yellow color	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)
Aging	5 to 12+ months	A few months to several years
Taste	Strong	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory

Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Cheddar Cheese leans toward from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.

Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese originates in France, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Cheddar Cheese a few months to several years.

Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

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.

What is Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).