Cheddar Cheese vs Pérail Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Pérail Cheese is soft and made from sheep 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 Pérail Cheese?

Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.

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

• Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Pérail Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Pérail Cheese (sheep)
• Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Pérail Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Pérail Cheese (wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum)
• Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Pérail Cheese (2 to 8 weeks)
• Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Pérail Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses character. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Pérail Cheese at 2 to 8 weeks.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Pérail Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Pérail 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. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Pérail 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 profile, Pérail Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Pérail Cheese fits dishes calling for distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Pérail Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Pérail Cheese comes from France. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Pérail Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Pérail Cheese 2 to 8 weeks.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Pérail Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Pérail Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Pérail Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Pérail Cheese is distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.

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 Pérail Cheese made of?

Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Pérail Cheese?

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