Casu marzu Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Casu marzu Cheese is a soft, soft-ripened sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
What Is Casu marzu Cheese?
Casu marzu is a Sardinian sheep milk cheese fermented by live cheese fly larvae, which eat through a pecorino wheel and break down its fats until the paste turns very soft. Its sale is banned in Italy and the EU, and Guinness World Records called it the world's most dangerous cheese.
What Is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Casu marzu Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk type: Casu marzu Cheese (sheep's milk), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
- Texture: Casu marzu Cheese (soft, soft-ripened), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: Casu marzu Cheese (natural), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: Casu marzu Cheese (3 months), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: Casu marzu Cheese (intense, spicy), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Casu marzu Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Sardinia (Italy), Southern Corsica (France) | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, soft-ripened | Firm |
| Rind | Natural | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | 3 months | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Intense, spicy | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Casu marzu Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Casu marzu Cheese reads as intense, spicy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Casu marzu Cheese shows mediterranean, pastoral and spicy notes, with an aftertaste that lasts for hours, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Casu marzu Cheese at 3 months develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Casu marzu Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Casu marzu Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, soft-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Casu marzu Cheese reads as intense, spicy while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, Casu marzu Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, soft-ripened cheese, go with Casu marzu Cheese. For a firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Casu marzu Cheese suits recipes that want intense, spicy notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Casu marzu Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Casu marzu Cheese is made from sheep milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Casu marzu Cheese is typically aged 3 months, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Casu marzu Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Casu marzu Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Casu marzu Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Casu marzu Cheese reads as intense, spicy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
What is Casu marzu Cheese made of?
Casu marzu Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Italy.
What is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Casu marzu Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Casu marzu Cheese is soft, soft-ripened, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.