San Simón da Costa Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
San Simón da Costa Cheese is a semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes cow-milk cheese, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
What Is San Simón da Costa Cheese?
San Simón da Costa is a smoked cow's milk cheese from the Terra Chá region of Galicia, Spain. It is pressed into a pear shape, smoked over birch wood, and has held Protected Designation of Origin status since 2008.
What Is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between San Simón da Costa Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk treatment: San Simón da Costa Cheese (raw or pasteurized), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (raw)
- Texture: San Simón da Costa Cheese (semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: San Simón da Costa Cheese (smooth, hard, waxy, brown, 1 to 3 mm thick), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: San Simón da Costa Cheese (at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: San Simón da Costa Cheese (mild, slightly salty, smoky), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| San Simón da Costa Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Terra Chá, Galicia, Spain | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes | Firm |
| Rind | Smooth, hard, waxy, brown, 1 to 3 mm thick | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | At least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Mild, slightly salty, smoky | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does San Simón da Costa Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
San Simón da Costa Cheese reads as mild, slightly salty, smoky, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, San Simón da Costa Cheese shows mild with a hint of spiciness, slightly salty, birch smoke, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. San Simón da Costa Cheese at at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute San Simón da Costa Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
In most recipes, San Simón da Costa Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, San Simón da Costa Cheese reads as mild, slightly salty, smoky while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, San Simón da Costa Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes cheese, go with San Simón da Costa Cheese. For a firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, San Simón da Costa Cheese suits recipes that want mild, slightly salty, smoky notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Simón da Costa Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: San Simón da Costa Cheese is typically aged at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is San Simón da Costa Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute San Simón da Costa Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does San Simón da Costa Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
San Simón da Costa Cheese reads as mild, slightly salty, smoky, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
What is San Simón da Costa Cheese made of?
San Simón da Costa Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days.
What is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, San Simón da Costa Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. San Simón da Costa Cheese is semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.