Cheddar Cheese vs Glarner Alpkäse Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a cow-milk cheese.
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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse is a Swiss raw cow's milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Glarus during the summer grazing season. The wheels have no holes and reach the market in mild, spicy and sharp grades. It has held AOP protection since 2014.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (raw)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Glarner Alpkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | — |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Glarus, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | — |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural, formed in a salt bath |
| Aging | A few months to several years | — |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese brings mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening character.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Glarner Alpkäse Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese brings mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening.
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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.