Red Leicester Cheese vs Stilton Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

Stilton Cheese

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

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

Stilton Cheese Overview

Stilton is one of the best-known British blue cheeses, traditionally made in two varieties: blue and white. Blue Stilton is creamy and crumbly with a distinctively sharp, rich flavor produced by the blue veins. White Stilton, less common, is the milder of the two and does not have the blue veining.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Red Leicester is ranked #71 out of 377 types.

Stilton is ranked #25 out of 377 types.

Country of Origin

Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Stilton Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

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. Stilton Cheese has a PDO (1996).

Milk Type and Treatment

Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized. Stilton Cheese is made with cow milk.

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".

Flavor and Aroma

Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

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 .

Rind and Rennet Type

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Red Leicester Cheese Stilton Cheese
Country of Origin United Kingdom United Kingdom
Specific Origin Leicestershire Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire
Certification None PDO (1996)
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow’s milk
Milk Treatment Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content High
Moisture Content Medium
Rind Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Aroma Mild
Colors Reddish-orange
Forms Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type Animal

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Stilton Cheese to Other Cheeses

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