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Cheddar Cheese vs Comté Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Comté Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Cheddar Cheese and Comté Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Cheddar Cheese and Comté Cheese?"
- "Is Cheddar Cheese and Comté Cheese the same?"
- "How does Cheddar Cheese compare to Comté Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Cheddar Cheese compare to Comté Cheese?"
- "Is Cheddar Cheese or Comté Cheese better?"
Cheddar Cheese Overview
Cheddar cheese, perhaps the most famous cheese from England, originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset. It ranges from mild to extra sharp, with aging times that can extend several years. Cheddar has a firm texture and a deep, nutty flavor that becomes increasingly complex as it matures.
Comté Cheese Overview
Comté is a French cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. It is one of the most popular AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) cheeses, known for its complex flavors which can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Comté is aged for a minimum of four months, with some wheels maturing for over a year to develop a deeper flavor profile.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Comté Cheese originated from France.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Cheddar is not a protected cheese. Comté Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1958).
Milk Type and Treatment
Cheddar Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw, pasteurized, or thermized. Comté Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw.
Composition and Texture
Cheddar Cheese has a fat content of at least 50% fat in dry matter and a moisture content of up to 39%. Cheddar's texture can be described as "varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)". Comté's texture can be described as "smooth; semi-hard".
Taste and Aroma
Cheddar Cheese has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory taste. Cheddar's aroma can be described as "varies". Comté Cheese has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted taste.
Appearance and Aging
Cheddar Cheese's appearance is colored natural or dyed orange , is available in tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks and is aged a few months to several years . Comté Cheese has a color of pale yellow , comes in wide, flat wheels and has an aging period of 4 months to 3 years .
Rind and Rennet Type
Cheddar Cheese's rind is described as varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) . Comté Cheese's rind is described as natural .
Ranking
Cheddar is ranked #1 out of 996 types based on community views. Comté is ranked #74 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Cheddar | Comté | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chicken, Ham, Macaroni and Cheese, Merlot, Tuna, Turkey | White Burgundy |
| Other Good Pairings | Kombucha, Tomatoes | Chardonnay |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Cheddar and Comté pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Cheddar Cheese | Comté Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | France |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Massif Du Jura |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996), AOC (1958) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's Milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Raw |
| Fat Content | At least 50% fat in dry matter | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | Up to 39% | Not Specified |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Smooth; Semi-hard |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted |
| Aroma | Varies | Not Specified |
| Colors | Natural or dyed orange | Pale yellow |
| Forms | Tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks | Wide, flat wheels |
| Age | A few months to several years | 4 months to 3 years |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go for Cheddar. But if you enjoy a smooth; semi-hard consistency, Comté might be the better pick. Cheddar has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Comté offers a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted profile, ideal for different meals.
