Pimento Cheese vs Stilton Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Pimento Cheese and Stilton Cheese, including:

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

Pimento Cheese Overview

Pimento cheese is a popular spread in the Southern United States, made from cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise. Sometimes referred to as the "pâté of the South," it has a creamy, tangy flavor and is often used as a filling for sandwiches, a topping for crackers, or a dip for vegetables.

Stilton Cheese Overview

Stilton is one of the best-known British blue cheeses, traditionally made in two varieties: blue and white. Blue Stilton is creamy and crumbly with a distinctively sharp, rich flavor produced by the blue veins. White Stilton, less common, is the milder of the two and does not have the blue veining.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Pimento Cheese comes from United States. Stilton Cheese originated from England.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Pimento is not a protected cheese. Stilton Cheese has a PDO (1996).

Milk Type and Treatment

Pimento Cheese is made with unknown milk. Stilton Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Pimento's texture can be described as "spreadable". Stilton's texture can be described as "hard, blue-veined".

Taste and Aroma

Pimento Cheese has a sweet, rounded chili taste. Pimento's aroma can be described as "sweet, rounded chili". Stilton Cheese has a spicy, strong taste.

Appearance and Aging

Pimento Cheese's appearance is available in grated cheese mixed into a spread . Stilton Cheese has a color of blue-grey .

Rind and Rennet Type

Stilton Cheese's rind is described as natural .

Ranking

Pimento is ranked #127 out of 996 types based on community views. Stilton is ranked #25 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Pimento Stilton
Best Pairings No pairings listed. Barleywine, Madeira
Other Good Pairings No additional pairings listed. No additional pairings listed.

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Pimento and Stilton pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Pimento Cheese Stilton Cheese
Country of Origin United States England
Specific Origin Southern United States Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire
Certification Not Specified PDO (1996)
Milk Type Cheddar, farmers’ style Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Not Specified Pasteurized
Rind Not Specified Natural
Texture Spreadable Hard, blue-veined
Taste Sweet, rounded chili Spicy, strong
Aroma Sweet, rounded chili Not Specified
Colors Not Specified Blue-grey
Forms Grated cheese mixed into a spread Not Specified

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a spreadable cheese, go for Pimento. But if you enjoy a hard, blue-veined consistency, Stilton might be the better pick. Pimento has a sweet, rounded chili taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Stilton offers a spicy, strong profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Pimento Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Stilton Cheese to Other Cheeses

Did you find what you are looking for?