Red Leicester Cheese vs Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese is a hard, crumbly cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is semi-hard and made from goat milk, originating in France.

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 Is Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Selles-sur-Cher is a goat milk cheese from Centre-Val de Loire, France, first made in the 19th century in the commune it is named for. It comes as a small charcoal-dusted cylinder of about 150 g, known for its grey-blue mould rind and lightly salty paste.

What's the Difference Between Red Leicester Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

• Origin: Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Red Leicester Cheese (Cow's milk), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, crumbly), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ash-coated, light to dark ash)
• Aging: Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ten days minimum)
• Taste: Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fresh, hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Red Leicester Cheese Taste Like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut character. On the nose, Red Leicester Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Selles-sur-Cher Cheese's fresh goat, mushroom hints. More specifically, Red Leicester Cheese shows mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese leans toward chalky-white, homogenous, highlighted by rind. Aging plays into this as well. Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial develops a different profile than Selles-sur-Cher Cheese at ten days minimum.

Can You Substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Red Leicester Cheese can stand in for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Red Leicester Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, crumbly cheese, go with Red Leicester Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Red Leicester Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese fits dishes calling for fresh, hazelnut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red Leicester Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Red Leicester Cheese originates in United Kingdom, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese comes from France. Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk; Selles-sur-Cher Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Red Leicester Cheese is typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese ten days minimum.

Is Red Leicester Cheese similar to Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Red Leicester Cheese taste like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fresh, hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Red Leicester Cheese leans mild, and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is closer to fresh goat, mushroom hints.

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.

What is Selles-sur-Cher Cheese made of?

Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using small amount rennet. It's typically aged ten days minimum. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Red Leicester Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is semi-hard.