Fontal Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Q: Is Fontal Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No. Fontal Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and United Kingdom respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Fontal Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese, though the result will shift in flavor and finish.

Q: Does Fontal Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Fontal Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Fontal Cheese?

Fontal is one of the names that grew out of fontina, the cow's milk cheese first produced in Italy. Cheeses under derivative names like fontal are made in other parts of Italy and in Denmark, Sweden, Quebec, France, Argentina, and the United States.

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 Fontal Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

Origin: Fontal Cheese (Italy), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Fontal Cheese	Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Italy	Leicestershire
Milk Type	Cow	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Texture	—	Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Rind	—	Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Aging	—	6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Taste	—	Caramel, sweet

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

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Fontal Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.

Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fontal Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese originates in Italy, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom.

Is Fontal Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.

Does Fontal 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 Fontal Cheese made of?

Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.

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, Fontal Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.