Cheddar Cheese vs Rollot Cheese

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

Rollot is a soft cow's milk cheese from Picardy in northern France, named for a village in the Somme. Washing in salt water gives it an orange rind, and it comes as a small round or a heart, tasting lightly salty and tangy before turning fruity and strong with age.

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

  • Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Rollot Cheese (France)
  • Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Rollot Cheese (semi-soft)
  • Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Rollot Cheese (washed)
  • Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Rollot Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
  • Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Rollot Cheese (salty, spicy, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Cheddar Cheese Rollot Cheese
Country of Origin England France
Specific Origin Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) Rollot
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized —
Texture Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) Semi-soft
Rind Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) Washed
Aging A few months to several years 3 to 6 weeks
Taste Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory Salty, spicy, strong

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Rollot Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Rollot Cheese brings salty, spicy, strong 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 Rollot Cheese leans toward lightly salted and tangy, with fruity and spicy notes after longer ripening. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Rollot Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Rollot Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Rollot 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 semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Rollot Cheese brings salty, spicy, strong notes.

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

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Rollot Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Rollot Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Rollot Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Rollot Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Rollot Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Rollot Cheese?

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

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 Rollot Cheese made of?

Rollot Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Rollot Cheese?

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