Cheddar Cheese vs Feta Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Feta Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
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.
What Is Feta Cheese?
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.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Feta Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Feta Cheese (Greece)
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Feta Cheese (None)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Feta Cheese (2 months to longer)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Feta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Throughout Greece |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized, sometimes raw |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Soft, white, aged in brine |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | None |
| Aging | A few months to several years | 2 months to longer |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Sharp to mild |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Cheddar Cheese | Feta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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Where to buy Cheddar Cheese and Feta Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Feta Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild 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 Feta Cheese leans toward sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to producer.. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Feta Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Feta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, white, aged in brine. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Feta 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 soft, white, aged in brine profile, Feta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Feta Cheese uses goat and sheep. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Feta Cheese 2 months to longer.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Feta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized). It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Feta Cheese made of?
Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw). It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Feta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine.
See full profiles: Cheddar Cheese and Feta Cheese.