Cheddar Cheese vs Derby Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Derby Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Derby Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and England and United Kingdom respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Derby Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Derby 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

Derby Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Derby Cheese is semi-firm, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in England and United Kingdom.

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 Derby Cheese?

Derby is a mild, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Derbyshire, England, with a smooth, mellow texture and a buttery flavour. It sits close to Cheddar in taste but stays softer, and its best known version is the sage-flecked Sage Derby.

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

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Derby Cheese (England and United Kingdom)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Derby Cheese (semi-firm, artisan)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Derby Cheese (natural or waxed)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Derby Cheese (1 to 6 months)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Derby Cheese (buttery, mild, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Derby Cheese
Country of Origin	England	England And United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Derbyshire
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	—
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Semi-firm, artisan
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Natural or waxed
Aging	A few months to several years	1 to 6 months
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Buttery, mild, sweet

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Derby Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Derby Cheese brings buttery, mild, sweet 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 Derby Cheese leans toward springy and mild when young, turning firmer and subtly sweet with age. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Derby Cheese at 1 to 6 months.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Derby Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Derby 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 semi-firm, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Derby Cheese brings buttery, mild, sweet notes.

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

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Derby Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Derby Cheese comes from England and United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Derby Cheese 1 to 6 months.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Derby Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Derby Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Derby Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Derby Cheese is buttery, mild, sweet.

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 Derby Cheese made of?

Derby Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 1 to 6 months. It originates in England and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Derby Cheese?

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