Cheddar Cheese vs Olivet Cendre Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Olivet Cendre Cheese is soft, artisan 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 Olivet Cendre Cheese?
Olivet cendré is a cow's milk cheese from Olivet, on the Loire in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. It is aged in ash, which leaves a gray skin, and it is known for an earthy scent and a delicate taste.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Olivet Cendre Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Olivet Cendre Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Olivet Cendre Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Olivet Cendre Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Olivet Cendre Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Olivet Cendre Cheese (at least 1 month, typically 3 months)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Olivet Cendre Cheese (mild, smooth)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Olivet Cendre Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | France |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Olivet |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural |
| Aging | A few months to several years | At least 1 month, typically 3 months |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Mild, smooth |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Olivet Cendre Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Olivet Cendre Cheese brings mild, smooth 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 Olivet Cendre Cheese leans toward delicate. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Olivet Cendre Cheese at at least 1 month, typically 3 months.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Olivet Cendre Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Olivet Cendre 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 soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Olivet Cendre Cheese brings mild, smooth notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Olivet Cendre 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, artisan profile, Olivet Cendre Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Olivet Cendre Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, smooth.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Olivet Cendre Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Olivet Cendre Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Olivet Cendre Cheese at least 1 month, typically 3 months.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Olivet Cendre Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Olivet Cendre Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Olivet Cendre Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Olivet Cendre Cheese is mild, smooth.
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 Olivet Cendre Cheese made of?
Olivet Cendre Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 1 month, typically 3 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Olivet Cendre Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Olivet Cendre Cheese is soft, artisan.