Ossau-Iraty Cheese vs Staffordshire Cheese
Ossau-Iraty Cheese is a homogeneous, uncooked, pressed sheep-milk cheese from France, while Staffordshire Cheese is hard or semi-hard depending on aging, uniform, slightly crumbly, creamy and made from cow milk.
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 Is Staffordshire Cheese?
Staffordshire Cheese is a raw cow's milk cheese from the county of Staffordshire, England, protected by a PDO. It is sold as cloth-wrapped cylinders of 8 to 10 kg and ranges from semi-hard to hard depending on how long it is matured.
What's the Difference Between Ossau-Iraty Cheese and Staffordshire Cheese?
- Milk type: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (sheep's milk), Staffordshire Cheese (Cow)
- Texture: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed), Staffordshire Cheese (hard or semi-hard depending on aging, uniform, slightly crumbly, creamy)
- Rind: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Natural, smooth, orange to gray), Staffordshire Cheese (Cloth-bound)
- Aging: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Minimum 80-120 days), Staffordshire Cheese (2-4 weeks (mild), up to 12 months (mature))
- Taste: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (fruity, herbaceous, nutty), Staffordshire Cheese (Creamy, fresh, lactic)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ossau-Iraty Cheese | Staffordshire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Béarn And Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), And Three Communes In Hautes Pyrénées | Staffordshire, England |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed | Hard or semi-hard depending on aging, uniform, slightly crumbly, creamy |
| Rind | Natural, smooth, orange to gray | Cloth-bound |
| Aging | Minimum 80-120 days | 2-4 weeks (mild), up to 12 months (mature) |
| Taste | Fruity, herbaceous, nutty | Creamy, fresh, lactic |
Taste Comparison: Does Ossau-Iraty Cheese Taste Like Staffordshire Cheese?
Ossau-Iraty Cheese reads as fruity, herbaceous, nutty, while Staffordshire Cheese brings creamy, fresh, lactic character. Aging plays into this as well. Ossau-Iraty Cheese at minimum 80-120 days develops a different profile than Staffordshire Cheese at 2-4 weeks (mild), up to 12 months (mature).
Can You Substitute Ossau-Iraty Cheese for Staffordshire Cheese?
Ossau-Iraty Cheese can stand in for Staffordshire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect homogeneous, uncooked, pressed bite and body where the recipe calls for hard or semi-hard depending on aging, uniform, slightly crumbly, creamy. Flavor-wise, Ossau-Iraty Cheese reads as fruity, herbaceous, nutty while Staffordshire Cheese brings creamy, fresh, lactic notes.
Which Is Better, Ossau-Iraty Cheese or Staffordshire Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a homogeneous, uncooked, pressed cheese, go with Ossau-Iraty Cheese. For a hard or semi-hard depending on aging, uniform, slightly crumbly, creamy profile, Staffordshire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ossau-Iraty Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, herbaceous, nutty notes, while Staffordshire Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy, fresh, lactic.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese the same as Staffordshire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk; Staffordshire Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ossau-Iraty Cheese is typically aged minimum 80-120 days, Staffordshire Cheese 2-4 weeks (mild), up to 12 months (mature).
Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese similar to Staffordshire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ossau-Iraty Cheese for Staffordshire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ossau-Iraty Cheese taste like Staffordshire Cheese?
Ossau-Iraty Cheese reads as fruity, herbaceous, nutty, while Staffordshire Cheese is creamy, fresh, lactic.
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.
What is Staffordshire Cheese made of?
Staffordshire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 2-4 weeks (mild), up to 12 months (mature).
Which should I choose, Ossau-Iraty Cheese or Staffordshire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed, while Staffordshire Cheese is hard or semi-hard depending on aging, uniform, slightly crumbly, creamy.