Cabecou Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese
Cabecou Cheese is a soft, artisan goat-milk cheese from France, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.
What Is Cabecou Cheese?
Cabécou is a small round goat cheese from the Midi-Pyrénées in southern France, usually made with raw milk. It weighs under 40 grams (1.4 oz), tastes mildly lactic, and turns sharper once blue mold grows on its crust after about two weeks.
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 Cabecou Cheese and Cheddar Cheese?
- Origin: Cabecou Cheese (France), Cheddar Cheese (England)
- Milk type: Cabecou Cheese (goat's milk), Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cabecou Cheese (raw), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
- Texture: Cabecou Cheese (soft, artisan), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
- Rind: Cabecou Cheese (bloomy, thin and striped), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic))
- Aging: Cabecou Cheese (ten days to four weeks), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
- Taste: Cabecou Cheese (smooth, tangy), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabecou Cheese | Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | England |
| Specific Origin | Midi-Pyrenees | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) |
| Rind | Bloomy, thin and striped | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) |
| Aging | Ten days to four weeks | A few months to several years |
| Taste | Smooth, tangy | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabecou Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?
Cabecou Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. More specifically, Cabecou Cheese shows mildly lactic, sharper once blue mold grows on the crust, 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. Cabecou Cheese at ten days to four weeks develops a different profile than Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.
Can You Substitute Cabecou Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?
Cabecou Cheese can stand in for Cheddar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Cabecou Cheese reads as smooth, tangy while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Cabecou Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Cabecou Cheese. For a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabecou Cheese suits recipes that want smooth, tangy notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabecou Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabecou Cheese originates in France, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Cabecou Cheese is made from goat milk; Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Cabecou Cheese is typically aged ten days to four weeks, Cheddar Cheese a few months to several years.
Is Cabecou Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabecou Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabecou Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?
Cabecou Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.
What is Cabecou Cheese made of?
Cabecou Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged ten days to four weeks. 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, Cabecou Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabecou Cheese is soft, artisan, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).