Soft Cheese vs Swaledale Ewes' Cheese

Soft Cheese is a spreadable, smooth to runny cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly and made from sheep milk.

What Is Soft Cheese?

Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.

What Is Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Swaledale Ewes Cheese is a full-fat hard cheese made from ewe’s milk in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. It has a cylindrical shape, a firm and crumbly texture, and a natural white color. The cheese is either coated in a greenish-blue-grey mold or sealed with black wax. Made entirely by hand, the traditional production process includes pressing, brining for 24 hours, and a maturation period of 3 to 4 weeks. The cheese has been produced in the region for centuries using a closely guarded recipe passed down through generations. The distinct flavor is influenced by the local pastures, which provide a unique mix of herbs and grasses for the sheep.

What's the Difference Between Soft Cheese and Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

• Milk type: Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Sheep)
• Texture: Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Hard, firm, crumbly)
• Rind: Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Greenish-blue-grey mold or black wax coating)
• Aging: Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Soft Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month develops a different profile than Swaledale Ewes' Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Soft Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Soft Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect spreadable, smooth to runny bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, firm, crumbly.

Which Is Better, Soft Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a spreadable, smooth to runny cheese, go with Soft Cheese. For a hard, firm, crumbly profile, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Soft Cheese the same as Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Swaledale Ewes' Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Soft Cheese is typically aged unmatured to about 1 month, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.

Is Soft Cheese similar to Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Soft Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Soft Cheese taste like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Soft Cheese made of?

Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.

What is Swaledale Ewes' Cheese made of?

Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks.

Which should I choose, Soft Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly.