Cheddar Cheese vs Sfela Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Sfela Cheese is semi-hard and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What Is Sfela Cheese?
Sfela is a semi-hard cheese from the Peloponnese region of Greece. Made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat milk, it is often fried due to its high melting point. Sfela has a salty, tangy flavor, making it a popular choice for traditional Greek fried cheese dishes.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Sfela Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Sfela Cheese (Greece)
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Sfela Cheese (Raw sheep’s milk or combination with goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Sfela Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Sfela Cheese (Semi-hard)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Sfela Cheese (Unique personality)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Sfela Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Messinia And Laconia, Peloponnese |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Raw sheep’s milk or combination with goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | — |
| Aging | A few months to several years | — |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Unique personality |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Sfela Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Sfela Cheese brings unique personality character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Sfela Cheese leans toward harder than feta, excellent aroma, unique personality.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Sfela Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Sfela Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Sfela Cheese brings unique personality notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Sfela Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Sfela Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Sfela Cheese fits dishes calling for unique personality.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Sfela Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Sfela Cheese comes from Greece. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Sfela Cheese uses goat or sheep.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Sfela Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Sfela Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Sfela Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Sfela Cheese is unique personality.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Sfela Cheese made of?
Sfela Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using traditional rennet. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Sfela Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Sfela Cheese is semi-hard.