L'Etivaz Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese
L'Etivaz Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.
What Is L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?
- Origin: L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
- Milk treatment: L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
- Texture: L'Etivaz Cheese (hard), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
- Aging: L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
- Taste: L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| L'Etivaz Cheese | Red Leicester Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Vaud, Switzerland | Leicestershire |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) |
| Texture | Hard | Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly |
| Rind | — | Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) |
| Aging | 5 to 13 months | 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial |
| Taste | Fruity, slightly nutty | Caramel, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does L'Etivaz Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, L'Etivaz Cheese offers smokey, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, L'Etivaz Cheese shows creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil, 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. L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.
Can You Substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
In most recipes, L'Etivaz Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, L'Etivaz 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 L'Etivaz Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, slightly nutty notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is L'Etivaz Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. L'Etivaz Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: L'Etivaz Cheese is typically aged 5 to 13 months, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.
Is L'Etivaz Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does L'Etivaz Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. L'Etivaz Cheese leans smokey, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.
What is L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
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, L'Etivaz Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. L'Etivaz Cheese is hard, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.