Camembert de Normandie Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Camembert de Normandie Cheese is a soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

Camembert de Normandie is the AOC version of Camembert, a soft, surface-ripened cow's milk cheese from Normandy in northwest France. The rules require raw milk from Normande cows, and each small round is covered by a bloomy white rind.

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 Camembert de Normandie Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Camembert de Normandie Cheese (France), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Camembert de Normandie Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Camembert de Normandie Cheese (Soft, creamy), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, crumbly)
• Rind: Camembert de Normandie Cheese (Bloomy, white), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Camembert de Normandie Cheese (~30 days), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Camembert de Normandie Cheese (Young: Lactic, tangy, sweet; Aged: Pungent, mushroom, garlic), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Camembert de Normandie Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Camembert de Normandie Cheese reads as young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Camembert de Normandie Cheese offers lactic to pungent with notes of mushroom and garlic, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Camembert de Normandie Cheese shows starts with a tangy, sweet flavor, evolving into more pungent notes of mushroom and garlic as it ages. the texture also evolves from somewhat crumbly to satisfyingly sticky and chewy., while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Camembert de Normandie Cheese at ~30 days develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Camembert de Normandie Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Camembert de Normandie Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Camembert de Normandie Cheese reads as young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Camembert de Normandie 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, creamy cheese, go with Camembert de Normandie Cheese. For a hard, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Camembert de Normandie Cheese suits recipes that want young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Camembert de Normandie Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Camembert de Normandie Cheese originates in France, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Camembert de Normandie Cheese is typically aged ~30 days, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Camembert de Normandie Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Camembert de Normandie Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Camembert de Normandie Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Camembert de Normandie Cheese reads as young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Camembert de Normandie Cheese leans lactic to pungent with notes of mushroom and garlic, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Camembert de Normandie Cheese made of?

Camembert de Normandie Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged ~30 days. It originates in France.

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, Camembert de Normandie Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Camembert de Normandie Cheese is soft, creamy, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly.