Exmoor Blue Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese
Exmoor Blue 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 Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a full-fat soft blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurized Jersey cow’s milk in Devon and Somerset, England. It has a rich yellow color and a buttery texture, with an average fat content of 34%. The cheese has been handmade on Willet Farm since 1986, using traditional methods. It undergoes a maturation period of 3 to 6 weeks, during which it is regularly turned and treated with Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium candidum to develop its distinctive blue veining. The lush pasture of the region, influenced by the warm, wet climate and red sandstone soil, contributes to the rich flavor of the milk used in production.
What Is Red Leicester Cheese?
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.
What's the Difference Between Exmoor Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
- Texture: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
- Rind: Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
- Aging: Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Exmoor Blue Cheese | Red Leicester Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Devon And Somerset, England | Leicestershire |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) |
| Texture | Soft | Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly |
| Rind | Treated with Penicillium candidum | Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) |
| Aging | 3 to 6 weeks | 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial |
| Taste | — | Caramel, sweet |
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Where to buy Exmoor Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese
Exmoor Blue Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Exmoor Blue Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.
Can You Substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
In most recipes, Exmoor Blue 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.
Which Is Better, Exmoor Blue 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 Exmoor Blue Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exmoor Blue Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Exmoor Blue Cheese is typically aged 3 to 6 weeks, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.
Is Exmoor Blue Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Exmoor Blue Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Exmoor Blue Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Exmoor Blue Cheese made of?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks.
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, Exmoor Blue Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.
See full profiles: Exmoor Blue Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese.