Cheddar Cheese vs Rabacal Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Rabacal Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Portugal.
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 Rabacal Cheese?
Rabaçal is a Portuguese sheep's and goat's milk cheese from the village of Rabaçal in the Coimbra district, protected as a DOP since 1996. It is sold mainly as a hard cheese with a delicate, balanced taste that sharpens as it ages.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Rabacal Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Rabacal Cheese (Portugal)
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Rabacal Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Rabacal Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Rabacal Cheese (smooth, dry to slightly oily)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Rabacal Cheese (smooth)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Rabacal Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Rabaçal, Coimbra District, Portugal |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Smooth, dry to slightly oily |
| Aging | A few months to several years | — |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Smooth |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Rabacal Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Rabacal Cheese brings 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 Rabacal Cheese leans toward delicate and balanced, stronger and more aromatic with age.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Rabacal 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 semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Rabacal Cheese brings smooth notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Rabacal 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 semi-hard, artisan profile, Rabacal Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Rabacal Cheese fits dishes calling for smooth.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Rabacal Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Rabacal Cheese comes from Portugal. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Rabacal Cheese uses goat and sheep.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Rabacal Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Rabacal Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Rabacal Cheese is 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 Rabacal Cheese made of?
Rabacal Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk, using animal rennet. It originates in Portugal.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Rabacal Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Rabacal Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.