Cheddar Cheese vs Salers Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Salers Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Salers 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 Salers Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Salers Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Salers 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

Salers Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Salers Cheese is firm 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 Salers Cheese?

Salers is a semi-hard pressed cheese from the Cantal department in France's Massif Central, made only between 15 April and 15 November. Wheels weigh about 40 kg (88 lb) and age in caves for three to forty-five months. It has held AOC status since 1961.

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

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Salers Cheese (France)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Salers Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Salers Cheese (Firm)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Salers Cheese (Thick gray)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Salers Cheese (Minimum of three months, up to forty-five months)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Salers Cheese (Strong-tasting)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Salers Cheese
Country of Origin	England	France
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Salers, Massif Central
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Firm
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Thick gray
Aging	A few months to several years	Minimum of three months, up to forty-five months
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Strong-tasting

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Salers Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Salers Cheese brings strong-tasting 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 Salers Cheese leans toward plant and fruit with peppery and even smoky flavors. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Salers Cheese at minimum of three months, up to forty-five months.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Salers Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Salers 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 firm. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Salers Cheese brings strong-tasting notes.

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

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Salers Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Salers Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Salers Cheese minimum of three months, up to forty-five months.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Salers Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Salers Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Salers Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Salers Cheese is strong-tasting.

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 Salers Cheese made of?

Salers Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of three months, up to forty-five months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Salers Cheese?

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