Comté Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Comté Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Comté Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Comté Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Comté Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Comté Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Comté Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese better?"

Comté Cheese Overview

Comté is a French cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. It is one of the most popular AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) cheeses, known for its complex flavors which can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Comté is aged for a minimum of four months, with some wheels maturing for over a year to develop a deeper flavor profile.

Red Leicester Cheese Overview

Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Comté is ranked #80 out of 375 types.

Red Leicester is ranked #118 out of 375 types.

Country of Origin

Comté Cheese comes from France. Red Leicester Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Comté Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1958). Red Leicester is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Comté Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Comté's texture can be described as "smooth". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of none. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Flavor and Aroma

Comté Cheese has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted flavor. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Comté Cheese's appearance is available in wide, flat wheels and is aged 4 months to 3 years . Red Leicester Cheese has a color of reddish-orange , comes in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and has an aging period of 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial .

Rind and Rennet Type

Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Comté Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin France United Kingdom
Specific Origin Massif du Jura Leicestershire
Certification PDO (1996), AOC (1958) None
Milk Type Cow's Milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Raw Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content High
Moisture Content Medium
Rind Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Smooth Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Flavor Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted
Aroma Mild
Colors Reddish-orange
Forms Wide, flat wheels Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age 4 months to 3 years 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type Animal

Compare Comté Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses