Red Leicester Cheese vs Emmental Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

Emmental Cheese

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

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

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.

Emmental Cheese Overview

Emmental is a classic Swiss cheese, known for its large holes and nutty, mild flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a hard, dense texture. The holes, or "eyes," develop during the fermentation process as a result of gas released by the bacteria in the cheese. Emmental is often used in sandwiches and is a key ingredient in traditional Swiss fondue.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Red Leicester is ranked #71 out of 377 types.

Emmental is ranked #17 out of 377 types.

Country of Origin

Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Emmental Cheese originated from Switzerland.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Red Leicester is not a protected cheese. Emmental Cheese has a PDO (2004).

Milk Type and Treatment

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

Composition and Texture

Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of medium. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly". Emmental Cheese has a fat content of minimum of 45% (dry matter). Emmental's texture can be described as "hard or medium-hard".

Flavor and Aroma

Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild". Emmental Cheese has a nutty, sweet flavor.

Appearance and Aging

Red Leicester Cheese's appearance is colored reddish-orange , is available in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and is aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial . Emmental Cheese has a color of yellow , comes in round loaves and has an aging period of 4 months to over 1 year .

Rind and Rennet Type

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Red Leicester Cheese Emmental Cheese
Country of Origin United Kingdom Switzerland
Specific Origin Leicestershire Emmental, Canton of Bern
Certification None PDO (2004)
Milk Type Cow's milk Raw Cow's Milk
Milk Treatment Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) Raw
Fat Content High Minimum of 45% (dry matter)
Moisture Content Medium
Rind Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly Hard or medium-hard
Flavor Nutty, sweet
Aroma Mild
Colors Reddish-orange Yellow
Forms Traditional cylindrical, industrial block Round loaves
Age 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial 4 months to over 1 year
Rennet Type Animal

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Emmental Cheese to Other Cheeses

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