Cheddar Cheese vs Mâconnais Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Mâconnais Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Mâconnais 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 Mâconnais Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Mâconnais Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Mâconnais 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

Mâconnais Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Mâconnais Cheese is soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth and made from goat 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 Mâconnais Cheese?

Mâconnais is a small goat's milk cheese from Burgundy, France, sometimes made with a mix of goat's and cow's milk. It is shaped like a little truncated cone and has held AOC certification since 2005.

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

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Mâconnais Cheese (France)
Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Mâconnais Cheese (Goat's milk)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Mâconnais Cheese (Raw)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Mâconnais Cheese (Soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Mâconnais Cheese (Covered mainly with geotrichum; may develop blue penicillium marks)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Mâconnais Cheese (Minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Mâconnais Cheese (salty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Mâconnais Cheese
Country of Origin	England	France
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Mâconnais Region, Including Specific Municipalities In The Département Du Rhône And Département De Saône Et Loire.
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Covered mainly with geotrichum; may develop blue penicillium marks
Aging	A few months to several years	Minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Salty, tangy

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Mâconnais Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Mâconnais Cheese brings salty, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Mâconnais Cheese at minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Mâconnais Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Mâconnais 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, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Mâconnais Cheese brings salty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Mâconnais 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, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth profile, Mâconnais Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Mâconnais Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, tangy.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Mâconnais Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Mâconnais Cheese comes from France. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Mâconnais Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Mâconnais Cheese minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Mâconnais Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Mâconnais Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Mâconnais Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Mâconnais Cheese is salty, tangy.

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 Mâconnais Cheese made of?

Mâconnais Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using small amount added rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period results in a weight of 50 to 65 g. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Mâconnais Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Mâconnais Cheese is soft, homogenous, creamy, firm, smooth.