Cheddar Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Hard |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural |
| Aging | A few months to several years | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Roumy 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Roumy 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 hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, 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 Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Roumy Cheese is hard.