Mascarpone Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Mascarpone Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Mascarpone Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?"
• "Is Mascarpone Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese the same?"
• "How does Mascarpone Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Mascarpone Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese?"
• "Is Mascarpone Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese better?"

Mascarpone Cheese Overview

Mascarpone is a creamy, soft Italian cheese made from cream, coagulated by the addition of citric acid or acetic acid. It has a very rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet taste. Mascarpone is a key ingredient in desserts like tiramisu and can also be used in dips, spreads, and sauces.

Red Leicester Cheese Overview

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.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Mascarpone Cheese comes from Italy. Red Leicester Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

Milk Type and Treatment

Mascarpone Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically heated. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Mascarpone Cheese has a fat content of 60 to 75 percent. Mascarpone's texture can be described as "soft, spreadable". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of none. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Taste and Aroma

Mascarpone Cheese has a buttery to slightly tangy taste. Mascarpone's aroma can be described as "fresh". Red Leicester Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Mascarpone Cheese's appearance is colored white . Red Leicester Cheese has a color of reddish-orange , comes in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and has an aging period of 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial .

Rind and Rennet Type

Mascarpone Cheese's rind is described as rindless . Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Ranking

Mascarpone is ranked #37 out of 996 types based on community views. Red Leicester is ranked #67 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Mascarpone and Red Leicester pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a soft, spreadable cheese, go for Mascarpone. But if you enjoy a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly consistency, Red Leicester might be the better pick. Mascarpone has a buttery to slightly tangy taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Red Leicester offers a caramel, sweet profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Mascarpone Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses