Feta Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Feta Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

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

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

Feta Cheese Overview

Feta is a brined <a href="https://anycheese.com/glossary/cheese-curds/" title="Explore our detailed guide on cheese curds">curd</a> white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.

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

Ranking

Feta is ranked #26 out of 377 types.

Red Leicester is ranked #71 out of 377 types.

Country of Origin

Feta Cheese comes from Greece. 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. Feta Cheese has a PDO (2002). Red Leicester is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Feta Cheese is made with goat or sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Feta Cheese has a moisture content of high. Feta's texture can be described as "soft, white, aged in brine". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of high. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Flavor and Aroma

Feta Cheese has a sharp to mild flavor. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Feta Cheese's appearance is colored white , is available in blocks submerged in brine, barrels and is aged 2 months to longer . 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

Feta Cheese's rind is described as none . Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Feta Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin Greece United Kingdom
Specific Origin Throughout Greece Leicestershire
Certification PDO (2002) None
Milk Type Sheep's Milk, or blend with Goat's Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Pasteurized, sometimes raw Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content High
Moisture Content High Medium
Rind None Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Soft, white, aged in brine Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Flavor Sharp to mild
Aroma Mild
Colors White Reddish-orange
Forms Blocks submerged in brine, barrels Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age 2 months to longer 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type Animal

Compare Feta Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

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