Buxton Blue Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

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Buxton Blue Cheese is a soft, artisan, blue-veined cow-milk cheese from England and United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Buxton Blue Cheese?

Buxton Blue is an English blue cheese made from cow's milk, a close relative of Blue Stilton. It carries PDO status and can only be made in and around Buxton, using milk from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire or Staffordshire.

What Is Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Buxton Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

  • Origin: Buxton Blue Cheese (England and United Kingdom), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
  • Texture: Buxton Blue Cheese (soft, artisan, blue-veined), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
  • Rind: Buxton Blue Cheese (natural), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
  • Taste: Buxton Blue Cheese (tangy), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Buxton Blue Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin England And United Kingdom United Kingdom
Specific Origin Buxton, Derbyshire Leicestershire
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment — Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Texture Soft, artisan, blue-veined Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Rind Natural Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Aging — 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Taste Tangy Caramel, sweet

Taste Comparison: Does Buxton Blue Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Buxton Blue Cheese reads as tangy, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character.

Can You Substitute Buxton Blue Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Buxton Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, artisan, blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Buxton Blue Cheese reads as tangy while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Buxton Blue Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan, blue-veined cheese, go with Buxton Blue Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Buxton Blue Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buxton Blue Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Buxton Blue Cheese originates in England and United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom.

Is Buxton Blue Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Buxton Blue Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Buxton Blue Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Buxton Blue Cheese reads as tangy, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Buxton Blue Cheese made of?

Buxton Blue Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in England and United Kingdom.

What is Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Buxton Blue Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Buxton Blue Cheese is soft, artisan, blue-veined, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.