Cheddar Cheese vs Dunlop Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Dunlop Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Scotland.
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 Dunlop Cheese?
Dunlop is a sweet-milk cheese from Dunlop in East Ayrshire, Scotland, made from unskimmed cow's milk and close to a soft Cheddar in texture. Mild, sweet and buttery, it matures for six to twelve months and is eaten on its own or with a dram of whisky.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Dunlop Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Dunlop Cheese (Scotland)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Dunlop Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Dunlop Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Dunlop Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Dunlop Cheese (6 to 12 months)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Dunlop Cheese (buttery, nutty, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Dunlop Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Scotland |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Dunlop, East Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Hard |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural |
| Aging | A few months to several years | 6 to 12 months |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Buttery, nutty, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Dunlop Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Dunlop Cheese brings buttery, nutty, 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 Dunlop Cheese leans toward mild, sweet and buttery-tasting. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Dunlop Cheese at 6 to 12 months.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Dunlop Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Dunlop 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Dunlop Cheese brings buttery, nutty, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Dunlop 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 hard profile, Dunlop Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Dunlop Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, nutty, sweet.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Dunlop Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Dunlop Cheese comes from Scotland. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Dunlop Cheese 6 to 12 months.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Dunlop Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Dunlop Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Dunlop Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Dunlop Cheese is buttery, nutty, 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 Dunlop Cheese made of?
Dunlop Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 12 months. It originates in Scotland.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Dunlop Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Dunlop Cheese is hard.