Époisses Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Époisses Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Époisses Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Époisses Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Époisses Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Époisses Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Époisses Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Époisses Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese better?"

Époisses Cheese Overview

Époisses is a strongly flavored, washed-rind cheese from Burgundy, made from cow's milk. It is known for its creamy texture and rich, intense flavor with hints of barnyard and bacon. The rind is washed with Marc de Bourgogne brandy during maturation, contributing to its characteristic strong smell and deep orange color. Époisses is typically eaten with crusty bread or used to add depth to sauces.

Red Leicester Cheese Overview

Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Époisses Cheese comes from France. Red Leicester Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Époisses Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1991). Red Leicester is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Époisses Cheese is made with cow milk. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Époisses's texture can be described as "soft and creamy". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of none. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Taste and Aroma

Époisses Cheese has a subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced taste. Époisses's aroma can be described as "undergrowth". Red Leicester Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Époisses Cheese's appearance is colored orange ivory to brick red , is available in small and large sizes and is aged minimum of 28 days . Red Leicester Cheese has a color of reddish-orange , comes in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and has an aging period of 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial .

Rind and Rennet Type

Époisses Cheese's rind is described as washed-rind . Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Ranking

Époisses is ranked #28 out of 996 types based on community views. Red Leicester is ranked #67 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Époisses Red Leicester
Best Pairings Burgundy Red No pairings listed.
Other Good Pairings No additional pairings listed. No additional pairings listed.

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Époisses and Red Leicester pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Époisses Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin France United Kingdom
Specific Origin Auxois And Terre Plaine, Burgundy Leicestershire
Certification PDO (1996), AOC (1991) Not Specified
Milk Type Cow's Milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Not Specified Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content Not Specified High
Moisture Content Not Specified Medium
Rind Washed-rind Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Soft and creamy Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Taste Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced Caramel, sweet
Aroma Undergrowth Mild
Colors Orange ivory to brick red Reddish-orange
Forms Small and large sizes Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age Minimum of 28 days 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type Not Specified Animal

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a soft and creamy cheese, go for Époisses. But if you enjoy a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly consistency, Red Leicester might be the better pick. Époisses has a subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Red Leicester offers a caramel, sweet profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Époisses Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

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