Cheddar Cheese vs Dorset Blue Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Dorset Blue Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.

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 Is Dorset Blue Cheese?

Dorset Blue is an English cow's milk blue cheese protected by a European designation of origin. Also sold as Dorset Blue Vinney, it is known for moderate blue veining and a piquant flavor that stops short of being strong.

What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Dorset Blue Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Dorset Blue Cheese (Skimmed)
• Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Dorset Blue Cheese (Firm)
• Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Dorset Blue Cheese (Rough, dry brown mold coating)
• Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Dorset Blue Cheese (12 to 20 weeks)
• Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Dorset Blue Cheese (Piquant, peppery, mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Dorset Blue Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Dorset Blue Cheese brings piquant, peppery, mild to strong character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Dorset Blue Cheese leans toward piquant like other blue cheeses, not excessively strong. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Dorset Blue Cheese at 12 to 20 weeks.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Dorset Blue Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Dorset Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Dorset Blue Cheese brings piquant, peppery, mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Dorset Blue Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a firm profile, Dorset Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Dorset Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for piquant, peppery, mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Dorset Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Dorset Blue Cheese 12 to 20 weeks.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Dorset Blue Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Dorset Blue Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Dorset Blue Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Dorset Blue Cheese is piquant, peppery, mild to strong.

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.

What is Dorset Blue Cheese made of?

Dorset Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed). It's typically aged 12 to 20 weeks.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Dorset Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Dorset Blue Cheese is firm.