Parmesan Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

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

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

Parmesan Cheese Overview

Parmesan, often referred to by its Italian name, Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard, granular cheese known for its rich flavor and grainy texture. Made from cow's milk, it's aged for a minimum of 12 months, often much longer, to develop its distinct nutty and savory profile. Parmesan is a staple in Italian cuisine, commonly grated over pasta dishes, stirred into soups, or eaten on its own.

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

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

Milk Type and Treatment

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

Composition and Texture

Parmesan's texture can be described as "hard, artisan". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of . Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Taste and Aroma

Parmesan Cheese has a salty, savory taste. Parmesan's aroma can be described as "nutty, strong". Red Leicester Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Parmesan Cheese's appearance is colored straw . 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

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

Ranking

Parmesan is ranked #39 out of 996 types based on community views. Red Leicester is ranked #66 out of 996 types based on community views.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

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

Compare Parmesan Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses