Red Leicester Cheese vs Gruyère Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

Gruyère Cheese

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

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

Gruyère Cheese Overview

Gruyère is a famous Swiss hard cheese, known for its rich, creamy, slightly nutty flavor. It is typically aged for six months or more and has a dense, slightly grainy texture. Gruyère is a staple in <a href="https://anycheese.com/glossary/fondue/" title="Learn All About Fondue">fondue</a> and is also used in French onion soup, croque-monsieur, and various baked dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Red Leicester is ranked #71 out of 377 types.

Gruyère is ranked #41 out of 377 types.

Country of Origin

Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Gruyère 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. Gruyère Cheese has a AOP (2007).

Milk Type and Treatment

Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized. Gruyère 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". Gruyère Cheese has a fat content of around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content. and a moisture content of medium. Gruyère's texture can be described as "dense, moister".

Flavor and Aroma

Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild". Gruyère Cheese has a nutty, complex flavor. Gruyère's aroma can be described as "earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy".

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 . Gruyère Cheese has a color of varies , comes in cylindrical and has an aging period of 5 months to 24+ .

Rind and Rennet Type

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Red Leicester Cheese Gruyère Cheese
Country of Origin United Kingdom Switzerland
Specific Origin Leicestershire Switzerland, specifically the Gruyère region.
Certification None AOP (2007)
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow’s milk
Milk Treatment Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) Raw
Fat Content High Around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content.
Moisture Content Medium Approximately 35-37%, characteristic of its dense texture.
Rind Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) Natural, orangy
Texture Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly Dense, moister
Flavor Nutty, complex
Aroma Mild Earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy
Colors Reddish-orange Varies
Forms Traditional cylindrical, industrial block Cylindrical
Age 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial 5 months to 24+
Rennet Type Animal Animal

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Gruyère Cheese to Other Cheeses

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