Red Leicester Cheese vs Sheep's Milk Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese is a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Sheep's Milk Cheese is a sheep-milk cheese.
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 Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Sheep's milk cheese is cheese made from ewe's milk, one of the three main milks used for cheese alongside cow and goat. Because sheep milk is high in fat, these cheeses are known for a concentrated, full-bodied taste.
What's the Difference Between Red Leicester Cheese and Sheep's Milk Cheese?
- Milk type: Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk), Sheep's Milk Cheese (sheep)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Red Leicester Cheese | Sheep's Milk Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | — |
| Specific Origin | Leicestershire | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) | — |
| Texture | Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly | — |
| Rind | Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) | — |
| Aging | 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial | — |
| Taste | Caramel, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Red Leicester Cheese Taste Like Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Red Leicester Cheese can stand in for Sheep's Milk Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Red Leicester Cheese or Sheep's Milk Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Leicester Cheese the same as Sheep's Milk Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk; Sheep's Milk Cheese uses sheep.
Is Red Leicester Cheese similar to Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Sheep's Milk Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Red Leicester Cheese taste like Sheep's Milk Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Sheep's Milk Cheese made of?
Sheep's Milk Cheese is made from sheep milk, using animal or microbial rennet.
Which should I choose, Red Leicester Cheese or Sheep's Milk Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.