Cheddar Cheese vs Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth and made from cow milk.
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 Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, made by hand from raw hay milk and protected as a PDO. It ages 3 to 6 months, sometimes past two years, and tastes nutty with herbal notes.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | — |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Vorarlberg, Including Regions Bregenzerwald, Kleinwalsertal, Großwalsertal, Leiblachtal (Pfänderstock), Walgau, And Rheintal. |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Firm to smooth |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind |
| Aging | A few months to several years | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age character. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse 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 to smooth. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse 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 to smooth profile, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
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 Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese made of?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using natural rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.