Cheddar Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Cheddar Cheese

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese

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

Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.

What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Country of Origin	England	France
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat’s milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Semi-soft
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Gray-blue
Aging	A few months to several years	Minimum of ten days
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	—

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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-soft.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

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