Edam Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Edam Cheese?

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, sold in flat-ended spheres under a red wax rind. It hardens rather than spoils, which made it the world's most popular cheese from the 14th to the 18th century.

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 Edam Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Edam Cheese offers almost no smell when young, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Edam Cheese shows sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities, 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. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a rubber-textured to crystalline cheese, go with Edam Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edam Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Edam Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Edam Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Edam Cheese leans almost no smell when young, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Edam Cheese made of?

Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.

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, Edam Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.