Red Leicester Cheese vs Tomme du Jura Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese is a hard, crumbly cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Tomme du Jura Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow 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 Tomme du Jura Cheese?

Tomme du Jura is a cow's milk cheese from the Jura mountains of Franche-Comté, sold mostly near where it is made. It is a pressed uncooked wheel with a greyish moldy crust, a paste full of small holes, and a light smell of milk.

What's the Difference Between Red Leicester Cheese and Tomme du Jura Cheese?

• Origin: Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom), Tomme du Jura Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)), Tomme du Jura Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, crumbly), Tomme du Jura Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)), Tomme du Jura Cheese (natural, greyish with white molds)
• Taste: Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet), Tomme du Jura Cheese (mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Red Leicester Cheese Taste Like Tomme du Jura Cheese?

Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Tomme du Jura Cheese brings mild character. On the nose, Red Leicester Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Tomme du Jura Cheese's fruity. More specifically, Red Leicester Cheese shows mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste, while Tomme du Jura Cheese leans toward melts on the tongue, light milky notes.

Can You Substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Tomme du Jura Cheese?

In most recipes, Red Leicester Cheese and Tomme du Jura Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Tomme du Jura Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, Red Leicester Cheese or Tomme du Jura 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, Tomme du Jura Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Red Leicester Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Tomme du Jura Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red Leicester Cheese the same as Tomme du Jura Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Red Leicester Cheese originates in United Kingdom, while Tomme du Jura Cheese comes from France.

Is Red Leicester Cheese similar to Tomme du Jura Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Tomme du Jura Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Red Leicester Cheese taste like Tomme du Jura Cheese?

Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Tomme du Jura Cheese is mild. Aromas also diverge. Red Leicester Cheese leans mild, and Tomme du Jura Cheese is closer to fruity.

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 Tomme du Jura Cheese made of?

Tomme du Jura Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Red Leicester Cheese or Tomme du Jura Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly, while Tomme du Jura Cheese is semi-hard.