Cheddar Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Hard |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | — |
| Aging | A few months to several years | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty 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 L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and L'Etivaz 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.