Jarlsberg Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-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 Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

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 Jarlsberg Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Jarlsberg Cheese offers mild, buttery, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., 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. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Jarlsberg Cheese leans mild, buttery, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. 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, Jarlsberg Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

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