Buxton Blue Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese
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 a blue-veined cheese made from cow's milk in Buxton, Derbyshire, England. With a fat content of 45%, this cheese has a soft texture that makes it stand out among other blue cheeses. Its flavor is tangy, offering a pleasant taste experience for those who enjoy a bit of sharpness in their cheese. The cheese has a natural rind and its interior is yellow, speckled with blue veins. Buxton Blue is crafted using artisan methods, giving it a distinctive character that reflects its origins. It's a great choice for adding a flavorful punch to cheese boards or recipes.
What Is Red Leicester Cheese?
Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.
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 |
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Where to buy Buxton Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese
Buxton Blue Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese
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.
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.
See full profiles: Buxton Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese.