Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Red Leicester Cheese

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese)?

Chèvre is the French name for cheese made from goat's milk. The classic French style is soft and creamy under a light colored rind, tart from the fatty acids in goat milk, and is sometimes served hot as chèvre chaud.

What Is Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (France), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Red Leicester Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Red Leicester Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Chèvre (Goat Cheese). For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) originates in France, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) made of?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged not aged for long. It originates in France.

What is Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.