Mini cheeseburgers with parmesan fries
History
Cheddar cheese originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It has been produced there since at least the 12th century.
Parmesan cheese was created in the Middle Ages in Bibbiano, Italy.
Traits
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese. Its natural color ranges from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers color the cheese with a brighter yellow. It is slightly crumbly.
Parmesan cheese is hard and granular, with an umami (rich and savory) taste. It is typically straw-colored.
Production
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, e.g. in caves, for 3 to 18 months.
Parmesan cheese is also made for cow’s milk. Whole milk is mixed with naturally skimmed milk, before starter whey is added, and the temperature raised to 33-35 celcius. Calf rennet is then added and left to curdle. The curd is broken into small pieces and left again, before it is collected with pieces of muslin, put into molds, and aged for 12 to 16 months.
Fruit and veggie platter with cheddar cheese sticks,celeries, carrots; strawberries and blueberries
Uses
Cheddar cheese is the most popular cheese in the UK and the second most popular cheese in the US. It is used in a huge variety of recipes.
Parmesan cheese is most commonly used in Italian dishes. It is often grated over pasta dishes, stirred into soups and risottos or eaten on its own. It also appears in Caesar salads and is commonly grated onto pizza in the US.
Substitutes
If you do not have access to cheddar cheese, you can use Colby, Cheshire or American cheese instead.
Parmesan can be substituted with asiago, grana padano or romano cheese.
Nutritional Info
Cheddar and Parmesan cheese vary slightly in nutritional values. Both are a good surce of Calcium and iron, have no added sugar, but are very high in saturated fat and sodium. Calories vary based on the type of the milk used (fat/non-fat) for making the cheese.
| Cheddar Cheese (per 100g) | Parmesan Cheese (per 100g) |
|---|
| Calories | 403 | 431 |
| Calcium | 95% of daily intake | 111 % of daily intake |
| Iron | 5% of daily intake | 5% of daily intake |
| Fat | 33g | 29g |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 17g |
| Cholestrol | 105mg | 88mg |
| Sodium | 612mg | 1529mg |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 4g |
| Protein | 25g | 38g |
Price
Cheese prices vary, but a pound of cheddar currently costs between $4.99 for mild cheddar and $21.99 for extra-sharp 12 year cheddar.
Parmesan costs about $6.89 per pound.
Current prices for Cheddar and Parmesan cheese are available on Amazon.com:
How to make Cheddar and Parmesan at home?
Here are a few interesting videos on how to make Cheddar cheese and Parmesan Cheese at home:
References
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"Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 12 Mar 2024. < >
FAQs
Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese, while Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese. Parmesan has a rich flavor and less aging time while Cheddar cheese is less expensive and has fewer calories.
Can I substitute cheddar cheese for Parmesan? ›
No, cheddar and Parmesan are quite different in texture and water content. Parmesan will not melt as smoothly as cheddar, and it will be saltier and dryer. Parmesan is a harder cheese with a different flavor. I would say replace half the cheddar with parmesan.
Is cheddar or Parmesan better for pasta? ›
#1.
Parmesan is a hard cheese, and it's perfect for grating and melting. Tomato-based pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese become much more authentic when topped with parmesan, while this type of cheese is called for in a traditional alfredo recipe, as well as carbonara, lasagna, and a four-cheese sauce recipe.
Is Parmesan cheese healthy? ›
Parmesan cheese is considered a functional food because it contains biologically active ingredients that benefit your body or health in some way. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese. It's considered a particularly healthy type of cheese because it's easy to digest and full of essential nutrients, like calcium.
Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in spaghetti? ›
In culinary circles, cheddar would be an abomination with spaghetti. But it's your kitchen, your palate; do what you want. Italians might say Parmesan or Pecorino, or even Grana Padano depending where they come from - for cheese to be used as a final garnish.
Which cheese is closest to Parmesan? ›
Asiago cheese is closest to Parmesan, but this cheese is actually a bit sweeter. It's a semi-hard yet smooth cheese with a slightly nutty flavor. Asiago offers a mild sharpness that doesn't overwhelm, but rather accents a mellow vegetable or meat dish.
Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in alfredo? ›
Conversely, if the sauce seems too thick (either now or when you're warming it back up again), just whisk in a splash of milk, broth, or water to thin it out again. Don't limit yourself to just using Parmesan for this Alfredo sauce recipe. You can really use any cheese you like -- cheddar, Swiss, gruyere, gouda...
Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in lasagna? ›
Add parmesan or cheddar cheese, stir until melted. To construct lasagna, in a lightly greased baking dish, layer meat sauce, cheese sauce and lasagna sheets, (making sure the lasagna sheets are totally covered). Repeat layers, finishing with cheese sauce.
Does cheddar and Parmesan taste the same? ›
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese. Its natural color ranges from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers color the cheese with a brighter yellow. It is slightly crumbly. Parmesan cheese is hard and granular, with an umami (rich and savory) taste.
What is the best tasting cheese for spaghetti? ›
Parmesan finds an irreplaceable place in pasta dishes. It makes Fettuccine Alfredo extra creamy, while Carbonara is boosted by its nutty taste. The cheese is the real deal and an easy choice when making a pasta dish.
Downsides. Since it's a milk product high in the protein casein, Parmesan cheese may be unsuitable for people with an allergy to casein or cow's milk.
Is parmesan anti-inflammatory? ›
Although the omega-3 content in parmesan is meagre compared to the amount present in seafood, it offers a reasonable amount of the fatty acids, considering cheese is a vegetarian food. These fatty acids play a role in reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving vascular function.
What is the best cheese to grate over pasta? ›
Parmigiano Reggiano: undoubtedly the most famous cheese to grate over pasta.
Which cheese is best for mac and cheese? ›
Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.
Should I add Parmesan cheese to spaghetti sauce? ›
Hard Cheeses: A half cup of grated parmesan, pecorino, or other hard cheese adds a deep savory note to the sauce. Fresh Cheese: Try adding a scoop of ricotta, mascarpone, crème fraîche or even simple cream cheese!
Can I use other cheese instead of Parmesan? ›
Pecorino can be a great substitute for Parmesan cheese, although the flavor of pecorino is less similar to Parmesan than the flavor of Grana Padano. It has a much sharper taste, as well as a higher fat and salt content. The cheese is really quite salty, so be mindful not to oversalt any dishes you make with it.
Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan on Reddit? ›
Just a decent mature cheddar will do, and they are produced in large commercial quantities (at least here).
