Emmental Cheese vs Leicester Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Leicester Cheese is firm, dry, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Emmental Cheese?

Emmental is a yellow, medium-hard Swiss cheese from the Emme Valley, known for the natural holes that run through it. The taste is savoury but mild. It is eaten cold in chunks or slices and melted into dishes such as gratins.

What Is Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is a crumbly cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, England, close to Cheddar and coloured orange with annatto. Young wheels taste very mild and slightly sweet; after about six months the cheese picks up a tang.

What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Leicester Cheese (firm, dry, crumbly)
• Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Leicester Cheese (reddish-orange with a powdery mould)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Leicester Cheese (6 to 12 months)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Leicester Cheese (slightly sweet, mellow, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Leicester Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Leicester Cheese brings slightly sweet, mellow, nutty character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Leicester Cheese leans toward very mild when young, tangier after six months. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Leicester Cheese at 6 to 12 months.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard or medium-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm, dry, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Leicester Cheese brings slightly sweet, mellow, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard or medium-hard cheese, go with Emmental Cheese. For a firm, dry, crumbly profile, Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly sweet, mellow, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Leicester Cheese 6 to 12 months.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Leicester Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Leicester Cheese is slightly sweet, mellow, nutty.

What is Emmental Cheese made of?

Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to over 1 year. It originates in Switzerland.

What is Leicester Cheese made of?

Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 6 to 12 months. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Leicester Cheese is firm, dry, crumbly.