Beaufort Cheese vs Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals and made from cow milk.
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 Is Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) cheese made in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is crafted using local milk and a unique dry stir technique developed in 1984, which gives it a firm, dense texture. The cheese matures for 6 to 18 months, creating medium, mature, and extra mature varieties with savory, nutty flavors. The production process includes hand-salting the curd for even distribution and controlled maturation for consistent quality. Orkney Cheddar has won multiple awards and is known for its excellent melting properties. It is available in both white and colored forms, with the latter containing a vegetable-based pigment.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (None)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (6 to 18 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | Orkney Islands, North Of Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals |
| Rind | Even yellow color | None |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | 6 to 18 months |
| Taste | — | Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese's clean and characteristic of cheddar. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese leans toward moderate sharp acid notes, rounded with savory and nutty undertones. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese at 6 to 18 months.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals profile, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese 6 to 18 months.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese made of?
Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 18 months.
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals.