Cheddar Cheese vs Livarot Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Livarot Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Livarot Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Livarot Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Livarot Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Cheddar Cheese

Livarot Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Livarot Cheese?

Livarot is a soft, pungent washed-rind cheese from Normandy, made with Normande cow's milk and protected by an AOC since 1975. Rings of dried reedmace circle its orange rind, which is why it also goes by the name colonel.

What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Livarot Cheese?

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Livarot Cheese (France)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Livarot Cheese (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Livarot Cheese (Chewy, Melts in the mouth)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Livarot Cheese (Sticky, Orangey)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Livarot Cheese (21 days)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Livarot Cheese (Pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Livarot Cheese
Country of Origin	England	France
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Normandy, Pays D’Auge
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Chewy, Melts in the mouth
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Sticky, Orangey
Aging	A few months to several years	21 days
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Pungent

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Livarot Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Livarot Cheese brings pungent 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 Livarot Cheese leans toward onion, hay, smoke, with a pungent animalian aroma. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Livarot Cheese at 21 days.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Livarot Cheese brings pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Livarot 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 chewy, melts in the mouth profile, Livarot Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Livarot Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Livarot Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Livarot Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Livarot Cheese 21 days.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Livarot Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Livarot Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Livarot Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Livarot Cheese is pungent.

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 Livarot Cheese made of?

Livarot Cheese is made from cow milk (mostly pasteurized; only 12% raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Livarot Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Livarot Cheese is chewy, melts in the mouth.