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 |