Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

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

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Parmesan 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

Parmesan Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

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

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Parmesan Cheese (natural)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Parmesan Cheese
Country of Origin	England	Italy
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Hard, artisan
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Natural
Aging	A few months to several years	Minimum 12 months, average 2 years
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Salty, savory

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory 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 Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Parmesan 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 hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Parmesan 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 hard, artisan profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

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

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 Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

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