Cheddar Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Cheddar Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Cheddar Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Cheddar Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Cheddar Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Cheddar Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Cheddar Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Cheddar Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese better?"

Cheddar Cheese Overview

Cheddar cheese, perhaps the most famous cheese from England, originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset. It ranges from mild to extra sharp, with aging times that can extend several years. Cheddar has a firm texture and a deep, nutty flavor that becomes increasingly complex as it matures.

Red Leicester Cheese Overview

Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Cheddar is ranked #1 out of 866 types based on community views.

Red Leicester is ranked #68 out of 866 types based on community views.

Country of Origin

Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Red Leicester Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

Milk Type and Treatment

Cheddar Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw, pasteurized, or thermized. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Cheddar Cheese has a fat content of at least 50% fat in dry matter and a moisture content of up to 39%. Cheddar's texture can be described as "varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of up to 39%. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Flavor and Aroma

Cheddar Cheese has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory flavor. Cheddar's aroma can be described as "varies". Red Leicester Cheese has a caramel, sweet flavor. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Cheddar Cheese's appearance is colored natural or dyed orange , is available in tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks and is aged a few months to several years . Red Leicester Cheese has a color of reddish-orange , comes in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and has an aging period of 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial .

Rind and Rennet Type

Cheddar Cheese's rind is described as varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) . Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Cheddar Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin England United Kingdom
Specific Origin Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) Leicestershire
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content At least 50% fat in dry matter High
Moisture Content Up to 39% Medium
Rind Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Flavor Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory Caramel, sweet
Aroma Varies Mild
Colors Natural or dyed orange Reddish-orange
Forms Tiny truckles to 650-pound blocks Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age A few months to several years 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type None Animal

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go for Cheddar. But if you enjoy a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly consistency, Red Leicester might be the better pick. Cheddar has a mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory flavor, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Red Leicester offers a caramel, sweet profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Cheddar Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

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