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

Ranking

Cheddar is ranked #1 out of 376 types.

Comté is ranked #100 out of 376 types.

Country of Origin

Cheddar Cheese comes from United Kingdom. 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, goat, sheep, or buffalo 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".

Flavor and Aroma

Cheddar Cheese has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory flavor. Cheddar's aroma can be described as "varies". Comté Cheese has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted flavor.

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 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) .

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Cheddar Cheese Comté Cheese
Country of Origin United Kingdom France
Specific Origin Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) Massif du Jura
Certification None PDO (1996), AOC (1958)
Milk Type Cow's, sometimes goat's, sheep's, or buffalo's Cow's Milk
Milk Treatment Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized Raw
Fat Content At least 50% fat in dry matter
Moisture Content Up to 39%
Rind Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)
Texture Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) Smooth
Flavor Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted
Aroma Varies
Colors Natural or dyed orange
Forms Tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks Wide, flat wheels
Age A few months to several years 4 months to 3 years

Compare Cheddar Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Comté Cheese to Other Cheeses