Red Leicester Cheese vs Feta Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

Feta Cheese

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

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

Feta Cheese Overview

Feta is a brined <a href="https://anycheese.com/glossary/cheese-curds/" title="Explore our detailed guide on cheese curds">curd</a> white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Red Leicester is ranked #71 out of 377 types.

Feta is ranked #26 out of 377 types.

Country of Origin

Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Feta Cheese originated from Greece.

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. Feta Cheese has a PDO (2002).

Milk Type and Treatment

Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized. Feta Cheese is made with goat or sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.

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". Feta Cheese has a moisture content of high. Feta's texture can be described as "soft, white, aged in brine".

Flavor and Aroma

Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild". Feta Cheese has a sharp to mild 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 . Feta Cheese has a color of white , comes in blocks submerged in brine, barrels and has an aging period of 2 months to longer .

Rind and Rennet Type

Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) and uses animal rennet. Feta Cheese's rind is described as none .

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Red Leicester Cheese Feta Cheese
Country of Origin United Kingdom Greece
Specific Origin Leicestershire Throughout Greece
Certification None PDO (2002)
Milk Type Cow's milk Sheep's Milk, or blend with Goat's
Milk Treatment Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) Pasteurized, sometimes raw
Fat Content High
Moisture Content Medium High
Rind Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) None
Texture Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly Soft, white, aged in brine
Flavor Sharp to mild
Aroma Mild
Colors Reddish-orange White
Forms Traditional cylindrical, industrial block Blocks submerged in brine, barrels
Age 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial 2 months to longer
Rennet Type Animal

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Feta Cheese to Other Cheeses

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