Parmesan Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What Is Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Parmesan Cheese (Italy), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Parmesan Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, artisan cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese originates in Italy, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

What is Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.