Innes Brick Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese
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 a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.
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 |
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Where to buy Innes Brick Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese
Innes Brick Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese
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.
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.
See full profiles: Innes Brick Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese.