Red Leicester Cheese. Rbozuk / Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro.
Red Leicester cheese is a crumblier version of cheddar cheese. Despite its flaky texture, though, it is still a firm cheese. The rind is reddish-orange with a powdery mould on it.
It is made from cow’s milk coloured with annatto.
Typically it is made using raw milk, but a few makers will use pasteurized milk.
Although Red Leicester can be young or old, aged anywhere from 4 to 9 months, the young Leicesters at the start of that range will be very mild: they really want at least six months to develop a tang.
Farmhouse cheese versions are also available. Farmhouse makers will mature it in cloth, the old way, to allow better flavour development.
Versions of Red Leicester are also made in the U.S. now.
Even though it’s called Red Leicester, there isn’t any white or purple or yellow Leicester — all Leicester cheese is red.
Cooking Tips
Red Leicester cheese melts well. It can be a bit tricky to slice owing to its crumbly nature.
Substitutes
Cheddar
Nutrition
Minimum fat content 48%
History Notes
Leicester, an old Roman city, is in central England, in the county of Leicestershire.
The cheese was originally made on farms in Leicestershire with milk that was surplus, after all the Stilton desired was made. It was originally coloured with carrot or beet juice.