Dovedale cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

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

What Is Dovedale cheese?

Dovedale, sold as Dovedale Blue, is a soft blue cheese made from full fat cow's milk near the Dovedale valley in the Peak District. It holds PDO status and is dipped in brine instead of dry-salted, which is rare for a British cheese.

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 Dovedale cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Dovedale cheese (Pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Dovedale cheese (Soft), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Taste: Dovedale cheese (mild blue), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Dovedale cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Dovedale cheese reads as mild blue, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. More specifically, Dovedale cheese shows mild and creamy, with a continental character from brine dipping, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste.

Can You Substitute Dovedale cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Dovedale cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Dovedale cheese reads as mild blue while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dovedale cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Dovedale cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Dovedale cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Dovedale cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Dovedale cheese reads as mild blue, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Dovedale cheese made of?

Dovedale cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized).

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, Dovedale cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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