Cheddar Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

What Is Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

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 Cheddar Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, 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. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

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, Cheddar Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.