Old Ford Cheese vs Ossau-Iraty Cheese

Q: Is Old Ford Cheese the same as Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

No. Old Ford Cheese and Ossau-Iraty Cheese are distinct cheeses from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Old Ford Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Old Ford Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Old Ford Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Old Ford Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan goat-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Old Ford Cheese?

Old Ford is an artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Timsbury, Somerset, England. It has a semi-hard texture, making it a sturdy cheese with a satisfying bite. The flavor profile of Old Ford is a mix of buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, and savory notes, providing a refreshing yet rich taste experience. Its aroma carries barnyardy, floral, and goaty scents, adding to its rustic charm. The cheese is ivory in color, with a natural rind that adds character to its appearance. Suitable for cheese boards or paired with light wines, Old Ford is a versatile choice for various culinary applications.

What Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's milk cheese from the Northern Basque Country and Béarn in south-western France. Uncooked and pressed, it is smooth, creamy and firm, and has held appellation d'origine contrôlée status since 1980.

What's the Difference Between Old Ford Cheese and Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Origin: Old Ford Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (France)
Milk type: Old Ford Cheese (goat's milk), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Old Ford Cheese (unpasteurized), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Raw)
Texture: Old Ford Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed)
Rind: Old Ford Cheese (natural), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Natural, smooth, orange to gray)
Taste: Old Ford Cheese (buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (fruity, herbaceous, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Old Ford Cheese	Ossau-Iraty Cheese
Country of Origin	England, Great Britain And United Kingdom	France
Specific Origin	Timsbury, Somerset	Béarn And Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), And Three Communes In Hautes Pyrénées
Milk Type	Goat's milk	Sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Raw
Texture	Semi-hard, artisan	Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed
Rind	Natural	Natural, smooth, orange to gray
Aging	—	Minimum 80-120 days
Taste	Buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory	Fruity, herbaceous, nutty

Taste Comparison: Does Old Ford Cheese Taste Like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Old Ford Cheese reads as buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese brings fruity, herbaceous, nutty character. On the nose, Old Ford Cheese offers barnyardy, floral, goaty, contrasted with Ossau-Iraty Cheese's rich.

Can You Substitute Old Ford Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Old Ford Cheese can stand in for Ossau-Iraty Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for homogeneous, uncooked, pressed. Flavor-wise, Old Ford Cheese reads as buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory while Ossau-Iraty Cheese brings fruity, herbaceous, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Old Ford Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, artisan cheese, go with Old Ford Cheese. For a homogeneous, uncooked, pressed profile, Ossau-Iraty Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Old Ford Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory notes, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, herbaceous, nutty.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old Ford Cheese the same as Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Old Ford Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese comes from France. Old Ford Cheese is made from goat milk; Ossau-Iraty Cheese uses sheep.

Is Old Ford Cheese similar to Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Old Ford Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Old Ford Cheese taste like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Old Ford Cheese reads as buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is fruity, herbaceous, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Old Ford Cheese leans barnyardy, floral, goaty, and Ossau-Iraty Cheese is closer to rich.

What is Old Ford Cheese made of?

Old Ford Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

What is Ossau-Iraty Cheese made of?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum 80-120 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Old Ford Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed.