Domiati Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Domiati Cheese is a soft cow, goat, or buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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 Domiati Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Domiati Cheese (Egypt), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Domiati Cheese (Soft), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Domiati Cheese (None), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Domiati Cheese (Salty), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Domiati Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. More specifically, Domiati Cheese shows salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting, 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. Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Domiati Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

Domiati 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, Domiati Cheese reads as salty while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Domiati 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 Domiati Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Domiati Cheese suits recipes that want salty notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Domiati Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Domiati Cheese originates in Egypt, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Domiati Cheese is typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Domiati Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Domiati Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Domiati Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

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, Domiati Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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