Innes Brick Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Q: Is Innes Brick Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Q: Can I substitute Innes Brick Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Innes Brick 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.

Innes Brick Cheese is a semi-soft, artisan goat-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Innes Brick Cheese?

Innes Brick is a semi-soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk near Tamworth, Staffordshire, in England. Its pale yellow interior is complemented by a mold-ripened rind, giving it a fresh, lactic aroma. The flavor is mild and milky with a touch of nuttiness, making it a pleasant choice for those who enjoy gentle goat cheeses. The texture is smooth and creamy, which pairs well with crusty bread or fresh fruits. This cheese offers a simple yet satisfying taste experience, ideal for both casual snacking and refined cheese boards.

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 Innes Brick Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

Origin: Innes Brick Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
Milk type: Innes Brick Cheese (goat's milk), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Innes Brick Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
Texture: Innes Brick Cheese (semi-soft, artisan), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
Rind: Innes Brick Cheese (mold ripened), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
Taste: Innes Brick Cheese (mild, milky, nutty), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Innes Brick Cheese	Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin	England, Great Britain And United Kingdom	United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Near Tamworth, Staffordshire	Leicestershire
Milk Type	Goat's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Texture	Semi-soft, artisan	Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Rind	Mold ripened	Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Aging	—	6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Taste	Mild, milky, nutty	Caramel, sweet

Taste Comparison: Does Innes Brick Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Innes Brick Cheese reads as mild, milky, nutty, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Innes Brick Cheese offers fresh, lactic, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild.

Can You Substitute Innes Brick Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Innes Brick 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-soft, artisan cheese, go with Innes Brick Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Innes Brick Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, nutty 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 Innes Brick Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Innes Brick Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Innes Brick Cheese is made from goat milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow.

Is Innes Brick Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Innes Brick Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Innes Brick Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Innes Brick Cheese reads as mild, milky, nutty, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Innes Brick Cheese leans fresh, lactic, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Innes Brick Cheese made of?

Innes Brick Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

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, Innes Brick Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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