Geitost Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

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

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

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

In most recipes you can swap Geitost Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Geitost 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.

Geitost Cheese is a semi-hard, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Norway, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Geitost Cheese?

Geitost is the Norwegian brown whey cheese made with goat's milk in the mix. Boiling milk, cream and whey caramelizes the milk sugars, which gives it a deep brown color and a sweet, caramel taste with a tang behind it.

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 Geitost Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

Origin: Geitost Cheese (Norway), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
Milk type: Geitost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
Texture: Geitost Cheese (semi-hard, whey), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
Rind: Geitost Cheese (natural), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
Aging: Geitost Cheese (not aged), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
Taste: Geitost Cheese (burnt caramel, sweet), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Geitost Cheese	Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Norway	Leicestershire
Milk Type	Cow's and goat's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Texture	Semi-hard, whey	Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Rind	Natural	Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Aging	Not aged	6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Taste	Burnt caramel, sweet	Caramel, sweet

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

Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Geitost Cheese offers caramel, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Geitost Cheese shows sweet and caramel-like, with a tang that is sharper in the goat's milk versions, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Geitost Cheese at not aged develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Geitost Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

Geitost Cheese can stand in for Red Leicester Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Geitost Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, whey cheese, go with Geitost Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Geitost Cheese suits recipes that want burnt caramel, sweet notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Geitost Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Geitost Cheese originates in Norway, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Geitost Cheese is typically aged not aged, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Geitost Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Geitost Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Geitost Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Geitost Cheese leans caramel, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Geitost Cheese made of?

Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk. It's typically aged not aged. It originates in Norway.

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, Geitost Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Geitost Cheese is semi-hard, whey, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.