Maroilles Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Maroilles Cheese is a semisoft cow-milk cheese from France, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
What Is Maroilles Cheese?
Maroilles is a cow's milk cheese from northern France, sold in rectangular blocks with a moist orange-red washed rind. It is known for its strong smell and takes its name from the village of Maroilles, where it has been made since the 10th century.
What Is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Maroilles Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Maroilles Cheese (pasteurized and unpasteurized), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Maroilles Cheese (Semisoft), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: Maroilles Cheese (Reddish-orange color), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: Maroilles Cheese (5 weeks for 25-oz size), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: Maroilles Cheese (Creamy taste, powerful aroma), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Maroilles Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Nord And Aisne | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized and unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semisoft | Firm |
| Rind | Reddish-orange color | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | 5 weeks for 25-oz size | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Creamy taste, powerful aroma | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Maroilles Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Maroilles Cheese shows pungent smell of cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, light ammoniac, milky, slightly salty, with hints of milk curd, hazelnut, and garlic, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Maroilles Cheese at 5 weeks for 25-oz size develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Maroilles Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
In most recipes, Maroilles Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semisoft bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, Maroilles Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semisoft cheese, go with Maroilles Cheese. For a firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Maroilles Cheese suits recipes that want creamy taste, powerful aroma notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maroilles Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Maroilles Cheese is typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Maroilles Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Maroilles Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Maroilles Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
What is Maroilles Cheese made of?
Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized and unpasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size. It originates in France.
What is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Maroilles Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maroilles Cheese is semisoft, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.