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Cheddar Cheese vs Feta Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Feta Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Cheddar Cheese and Feta Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Cheddar Cheese and Feta Cheese?"
- "Is Cheddar Cheese and Feta Cheese the same?"
- "How does Cheddar Cheese compare to Feta Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Cheddar Cheese compare to Feta Cheese?"
- "Is Cheddar Cheese or Feta 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.
Feta Cheese Overview
Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Feta Cheese originated from Greece.
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. Feta Cheese has a PDO (2002).
Milk Type and Treatment
Cheddar Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw, pasteurized, or thermized. Feta Cheese is made with goat and sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.
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)". Feta Cheese has a moisture content of high. Feta's texture can be described as "soft, white, aged in brine".
Taste and Aroma
Cheddar Cheese has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory taste. Cheddar's aroma can be described as "varies". Feta Cheese has a sharp to mild taste. Feta's aroma can be described as "nutty, strong".
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 . Feta Cheese has a color of white , comes in blocks submerged in brine, barrels and has an aging period of 2 months to longer .
Rind and Rennet Type
Cheddar Cheese's rind is described as varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) . Feta Cheese's rind is described as none .
Ranking
Cheddar is ranked #1 out of 996 types based on community views. Feta is ranked #25 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Cheddar | Feta | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chicken, Ham, Macaroni and Cheese, Merlot, Tuna, Turkey | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Riesling, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Sauvignon Blanc, Seaweed, Shrimp, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes |
| Other Good Pairings | Kombucha, Tomatoes | Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Chicken, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Compote, Gamay, German Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Tacos, Tequila, Tuna, Viognier |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Cheddar and Feta pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Cheddar Cheese | Feta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Throughout Greece |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (2002) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized, sometimes raw |
| Fat Content | At least 50% fat in dry matter | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | Up to 39% | High |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | None |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Soft, white, aged in brine |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Sharp to mild |
| Aroma | Varies | Nutty, strong |
| Colors | Natural or dyed orange | White |
| Forms | Tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks | Blocks submerged in brine, barrels |
| Age | A few months to several years | 2 months to longer |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go for Cheddar. But if you enjoy a soft, white, aged in brine consistency, Feta might be the better pick. Cheddar has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Feta offers a sharp to mild profile, ideal for different meals.
