Glarner Alpkäse Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a 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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse is a Swiss raw cow's milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Glarus during the summer grazing season. The wheels have no holes and reach the market in mild, spicy and sharp grades. It has held AOP protection since 2014.

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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (raw), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Rind: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Taste: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character.

Can You Substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese suits recipes that want mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).

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, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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