Bread Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese

Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.

What Is Bread Cheese?

Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.

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 Bread Cheese and Cheddar Cheese?

• Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Cheddar Cheese (England)
• Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
• Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
• Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.

Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

Bread Cheese can stand in for Cheddar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bread Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Cheddar Cheese a few months to several years.

Is Bread Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Bread Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?

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

What is Bread Cheese made of?

Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.

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, Bread Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

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