Cheddar Cheese vs Maroilles Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Maroilles Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Maroilles 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 Maroilles Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Maroilles 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

Maroilles Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Maroilles Cheese is semisoft 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 Maroilles Cheese?

Maroilles is a cow's milk cheese from northern France, sold in rectangular blocks with a moist orange-red washed rind. It is known for its strong smell and takes its name from the village of Maroilles, where it has been made since the 10th century.

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

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Maroilles Cheese (France)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Maroilles Cheese (pasteurized and unpasteurized)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Maroilles Cheese (Semisoft)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Maroilles Cheese (Reddish-orange color)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Maroilles Cheese (5 weeks for 25-oz size)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Maroilles Cheese (Creamy taste, powerful aroma)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Maroilles Cheese
Country of Origin	England	France
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Nord And Aisne
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Pasteurized and unpasteurized
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Semisoft
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Reddish-orange color
Aging	A few months to several years	5 weeks for 25-oz size
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Creamy taste, powerful aroma

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Maroilles Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Maroilles Cheese brings creamy taste, powerful aroma 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 Maroilles Cheese leans toward pungent smell of cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, light ammoniac, milky, slightly salty, with hints of milk curd, hazelnut, and garlic. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Maroilles Cheese at 5 weeks for 25-oz size.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Maroilles Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Maroilles 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 semisoft. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Maroilles Cheese brings creamy taste, powerful aroma notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Maroilles 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 semisoft profile, Maroilles Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Maroilles Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy taste, powerful aroma.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Maroilles Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Maroilles Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Maroilles Cheese 5 weeks for 25-oz size.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Maroilles Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Maroilles Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Maroilles Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Maroilles Cheese is creamy taste, powerful aroma.

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 Maroilles Cheese made of?

Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized and unpasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Maroilles Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Maroilles Cheese is semisoft.