Bushra Griffith
Cheddar and Parmesan are two types of cheese that differ in several ways. Cheddar is a hard English cheese with a sharp taste, while Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a rich, savoury, or umami flavour. Cheddar is made from cow's milk and is usually yellow in colour, while Parmesan is also made from cow's milk but is typically straw-coloured. Cheddar is a very popular cheese, especially in the UK and the US, and is used in a wide variety of recipes. Parmesan, on the other hand, is most commonly used in Italian dishes, such as pasta, soups, and risottos, and is often grated or eaten on its own.
Differences between Parmesan and Cheddar Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Parmesan: Italy; Cheddar: England |
| Colour | Parmesan: light yellow; Cheddar: pale yellow to off-white, or bright yellow |
| Texture | Parmesan: hard, dry, granular; Cheddar: firm, smooth, slightly crumbly |
| Taste | Parmesan: rich, savoury, nutty, fruity; Cheddar: sharp |
| Milk | Parmesan: cow's milk; Cheddar: cow's milk |
| Calories | Parmesan: fewer calories; Cheddar: more calories |
| Age | Parmesan: aged for 3-8 months; Cheddar: aged for 2-24 months |
| Use | Parmesan: grated over pasta, stirred into soups and risottos, or eaten on its own; Cheddar: used as an ingredient in cooking, or eaten on its own |
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What You'll Learn
Taste and texture
Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese, whereas Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese. Cheddar is a firm, smooth cheese, usually coloured a pale or bright yellow, although some are off-white. It is slightly crumbly and has a sharp taste. Parmesan, on the other hand, is hard and granular, with a rich, savoury umami flavour. It is typically straw-coloured.
Cheddar is made from cow's milk. The curd is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, then stacked and turned. It is then matured at a constant temperature. The longer Cheddar is matured, the sharper its taste. Mild Cheddar is aged for 2-4 months, while sharper varieties are matured for 6-9 months. Some Cheddars are aged for over 2 years for a very robust taste.
Parmesan is also made from cow's milk. The milk is mixed with naturally skimmed milk, then heated to 33-35°C. Calf rennet is added and left to curdle. The curd is broken into small pieces, collected with muslin, put into moulds, and aged for 12-16 months. Some Parmesan is aged for at least 2 years. The longer Parmesan is aged, the harder its texture.
Cheddar is a very versatile cheese, used in a wide variety of recipes. It is often paired with fruits and nuts, and used in sandwiches, burgers, and on baked goods. Parmesan is most commonly used in Italian dishes, grated over pasta, stirred into soups and risottos, or eaten on its own. It is also used in Caesar salads and grated on pizza in the US. Parmesan has a stronger aroma and taste than Cheddar.
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Country of origin
Cheddar cheese, a hard English cheese, originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It has been produced there since at least the 12th century and was once enjoyed exclusively by the nobility. Today, it is the most popular cheese in the UK and the second most popular in the US. Cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk and ranges in colour from pale to bright yellow.
On the other hand, Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese. It was first created in the Middle Ages in Bibbiano, Italy. Parmesan is also made with cow's milk and is typically straw-coloured. Italians call it Parmigiano-Reggiano, and it is produced only in Italy, in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua, and Bologna. Parmigiano-Reggiano is among the world's top cheeses, and genuine Parmesan is one of the most expensive cheeses in the world.
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Calorie content
Cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese are both high in calories, but cheddar cheese contains slightly more calories than parmesan cheese. Cheddar cheese has 403 calories per 100 grams, while parmesan cheese has 392 calories per 100 grams. This difference in calorie content may be due to the different types of milk used and the production processes of each cheese.
The calorie content of cheese can vary depending on the type of milk used in its production. For example, cheddar cheese is typically made with cow's milk, while parmesan cheese is made with a mixture of whole milk and naturally skimmed milk, with starter whey added. The aging process also affects the calorie content of cheese, as cheeses that are aged longer tend to have a higher calorie content. Parmesan cheese is typically aged for 12 to 16 months, while cheddar cheese is matured for several months, which may contribute to the slight difference in calorie content between the two cheeses.
In addition to the type of milk and aging process, the production process can also affect the calorie content of cheese. For example, the way the curds are treated and the temperature at which the cheese is produced can impact the final calorie count. In the case of cheddar cheese, the curd is kneaded with salt and cut into cubes to drain the whey, while parmesan cheese curds are broken into small pieces and collected with muslin cloth before being aged. These subtle differences in production techniques can contribute to the variation in calorie content between cheddar and parmesan cheeses.
It is worth noting that while both cheeses are high in calories, they also offer other nutritional benefits. Cheddar and parmesan cheeses are good sources of calcium and protein, and they contain no added sugar. Additionally, parmesan cheese has more niacin, while cheddar cheese contains more folate and vitamin A. Therefore, while the calorie content of these cheeses is a consideration, they can also provide valuable nutrients as part of a balanced diet.
When comparing the calorie content of cheddar and parmesan cheeses, it is important to consider the typical serving sizes. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of cheddar cheese contains approximately 111 calories, while the same serving size of parmesan cheese has around 68 calories. This difference in calorie content per serving is worth considering when deciding between these two cheeses, especially for those conscious of their calorie intake.
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Cost
The cost of cheese varies according to its type, rarity, and production methods. While both Parmesan and Cheddar cheese are widely available, Parmesan is generally more expensive.
Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese that originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It has been produced there since at least the 12th century. Cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk, and its colour ranges from pale to bright yellow. The curd is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, then stacked and turned. It is then matured at a constant temperature. There are different types of Cheddar cheese, varying in age, flavour, and quality. Mild Cheddar cheese is aged for 2 to 4 months, while sharper varieties mature for 6 to 9 months. Some Cheddar cheeses are aged for over 6 months to 2 years, resulting in a more robust taste. The price of Cheddar cheese depends on its type, with mild Cheddar costing around $4.99 per pound, and extra-sharp 12-year Cheddar costing up to $21.99 per pound.
Parmesan, on the other hand, is a hard Italian cheese that was created in the Middle Ages in Bibbiano, Italy. It is made from cow's milk, and has a rich, savoury (umami) taste. Parmesan is typically straw-coloured and has a hard, gritty texture. It is produced only in specific provinces of Italy, including Parma, Reggio Emilia, and Modena. The production process for Parmesan is more time-consuming and requires the cheese to be aged for at least 12 to 16 months, or even up to 2 years for authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano. This longer aging time contributes to its higher cost compared to Cheddar. Genuine Parmesan is considered one of the most expensive cheeses in the world, and its price reflects its rarity and flavour. Parmesan costs about $6.89 per pound, which is higher than the price range of most Cheddar cheeses.
The difference in cost between Parmesan and Cheddar cheese can be attributed to several factors, including their production methods, aging time, and rarity. Cheddar cheese is more widely produced and has a shorter aging time, resulting in a lower cost. In contrast, Parmesan is a specialty cheese with a longer aging process and a more complex flavour profile, justifying its higher price tag.
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Ageing time
Parmesan and Cheddar cheese differ in their ageing times, which directly affects their texture and taste. Parmesan is a hard, dry Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It is aged between 3 to 8 months, which gives it a hard, gritty texture. Parmigiano-Reggiano, a type of Parmesan produced only in Italy, is aged for a minimum of two years. This variety is among the world's top cheeses and is one of the most expensive. Parmesan's rich, savoury, or umami taste is enhanced by its ageing time, which also contributes to its granular texture.
Cheddar, on the other hand, is a firm and smooth English cheese, also made from cow's milk. It has a longer ageing time than Parmesan, ranging from 6 to 9 months for sharper varieties, to over 2 years for incredibly robust flavours. The ageing process affects the flavour and texture of Cheddar, with aged varieties having a long-lingering taste and a crumbly texture. Mild Cheddar, aged for 2 to 4 months, has a milder flavour.
The ageing time of Cheddar and Parmesan cheese is a key factor in their distinct characteristics. Parmesan's shorter ageing time results in a harder texture and a rich, savoury taste, while Cheddar's longer ageing process contributes to a smoother texture and a range of flavours, from mild to robust.
The ageing time also influences the versatility of these cheeses in culinary applications. Parmesan's strong aroma and flavour make it a popular topping for pasta and salads. Its ageing time gives it a harder texture that can be grated over dishes. Cheddar's ageing time contributes to its versatility as well. The milder varieties are suitable for sandwiches and burgers, while the sharper, more mature Cheddars are ideal for cooking and adding robust flavours to various dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar cheese originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, and has been produced there since at least the 12th century. Parmesan cheese, on the other hand, was created in the Middle Ages in Bibbiano, Italy.
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting, and slightly crumbly cheese. Its natural colour ranges from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers add a brighter yellow colour. Parmesan cheese is also hard, but it is granular and has an umami (rich and savoury) taste. It is typically straw-coloured.
Both Cheddar and Parmesan are good sources of calcium and iron, and they contain no added sugar. However, they are very high in saturated fat and sodium. The calories vary based on the type of milk used and the length of ageing. Cheddar cheese typically has fewer calories than Parmesan.
Cheddar cheese is very versatile and is used in a huge variety of recipes. Parmesan is most commonly used in Italian dishes, often grated over pasta, stirred into soups and risottos, or eaten on its own. It is also commonly grated onto pizza in the US.
Cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk. After heating, the curd is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, then stacked and turned. It is then matured at a constant temperature. Parmesan is also made from cow's milk, but the process is different. Whole milk is mixed with naturally skimmed milk, then starter whey is added, and the temperature is raised to 33-35 degrees Celsius. Calf rennet is added and left to curdle. The curd is then broken into small pieces, collected with muslin, put into moulds, and aged for 12 to 16 months.
