Search
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Cheddar Cheese vs Manchego Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Manchego Cheese
In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Cheddar Cheese and Manchego Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Cheddar Cheese and Manchego Cheese?"
- "Is Cheddar Cheese and Manchego Cheese the same?"
- "How does Cheddar Cheese compare to Manchego Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Cheddar Cheese compare to Manchego Cheese?"
- "Is Cheddar Cheese or Manchego Cheese better?"
Cheddar Cheese Overview
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.
Manchego Cheese Overview
Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Ranking
Cheddar is ranked #1 out of 377 types.
Manchego is ranked #34 out of 377 types.
Country of Origin
Cheddar Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Manchego Cheese originated from Spain.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Cheddar is not a protected cheese. Manchego Cheese has a PDO (1984).
Milk Type and Treatment
Cheddar Cheese is made with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk that is typically raw, pasteurized, or thermized. Manchego Cheese is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Cheddar Cheese has a fat content of at least 50% fat in dry matter and a moisture content of up to 39%. Cheddar's texture can be described as "varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)". Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".
Flavor and Aroma
Cheddar Cheese has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory flavor. Cheddar's aroma can be described as "varies". Manchego Cheese has a slightly acidic flavor.
Appearance and Aging
Cheddar Cheese's appearance is colored natural or dyed orange , is available in tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks and is aged a few months to several years . Manchego Cheese has a color of white to yellowish ivory , comes in cylindrical with flat faces and has an aging period of fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) .
Rind and Rennet Type
Cheddar Cheese's rind is described as varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) . Manchego Cheese's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints , with animal rennet.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Cheddar Cheese | Manchego Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | La Mancha region |
| Certification | None | PDO (1984) |
| Milk Type | Cow's, sometimes goat's, sheep's, or buffalo's | Manchega ewe's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Raw or pasteurized |
| Fat Content | At least 50% fat in dry matter | |
| Moisture Content | Up to 39% | |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Pleita and flor imprints |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Compact |
| Flavor | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Slightly acidic |
| Aroma | Varies | |
| Colors | Natural or dyed orange | White to yellowish ivory |
| Forms | Tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks | Cylindrical with flat faces |
| Age | A few months to several years | Fresco (2 weeks), Semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), Curado (3-6 months), Viejo or Anejo (1 year) |
| Rennet Type | Animal rennet |
