Graviera Kritis Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Graviera Kritis Cheese is a hard goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Graviera Kritis Cheese?

Graviera Kritis is the Cretan version of graviera, a hard Greek sheep's milk cheese with protected designation of origin status. It ripens for at least five months and tastes slightly sweet, with a burnt caramel note.

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 Graviera Kritis Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Greece), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Sheep's milk, Goat's milk (up to 20%)), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Raw), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Hard), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Natural rind), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Graviera Kritis Cheese (At least 3 months), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Graviera Kritis Cheese (Nutty, Sweet), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

As an Amazon Associate, AnyCheese earns from qualifying purchases.

Taste Comparison: Does Graviera Kritis Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Graviera Kritis Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. More specifically, Graviera Kritis Cheese shows mellow, nutty, slightly sweet when young, sharpens and becomes slightly peppery as it ages, 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. Graviera Kritis Cheese at at least 3 months develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Graviera Kritis Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Graviera Kritis Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graviera Kritis Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Graviera Kritis Cheese originates in Greece, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Graviera Kritis Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Graviera Kritis Cheese is typically aged at least 3 months, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Graviera Kritis Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Graviera Kritis Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Graviera Kritis Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Graviera Kritis Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Graviera Kritis Cheese made of?

Graviera Kritis Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months. It originates in Greece.

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, Graviera Kritis Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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