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.