The main difference between mozzarella and cheddar and parmesan cheese is that mozzarella is a soft, white Italian cheese made from the milk of water buffalos, while cheddar is a firm, smooth cheese and, parmesan is a hard, dry, Italian cheese made of cow’s milk.
Mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan are three types of cheese popular cuisines all over the world. However, there are several differences between them based on their origins, taste, and texture.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Mozzarella Cheese
– Definition, Features
2. What is Cheddar Cheese
– Definition, Features
3. What is Parmesan Cheese
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Mozzarella and Cheddar and Parmesan Cheese
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan, Cheese
What is Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is a soft, white Italian cheese made from the milk of water buffalos. It has a smooth, shiny surface, a porcelain color, and a delicate milky flavor. It is a fresh cheese that is not aged. The name mozzarella itself comes from the cutting operation known as mozzatura, which helps to separate individual pieces from the curd. Fresh mozzarella is very healthy due to its low fat and sodium content. Some manufacturers also produce mozzarella from cow’s milk. However, mozzarella made from buffalos’ milk is more nutritious than mozzarella made from cow’s milk. Traditional mozzarella or buffalo milk mozzarella contains a high concentration of proteins, calcium, iron, and proteins and is lower in cholesterol.
Mozzarella is a common cheese that we use in cooking. We can use it fresh in recipes like salads or in cooked dishes. Shredded mozzarella cheese is often used in pizzas and other Italian dishes. Moreover, fresh mozzarella is difficult to substitute as it has a unique flavor.
What is Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar is a firm, smooth cheese that is yellow in color. Cheddar originates from Cheddar, an English village in Somerset. But cheddar has now become popular all over the world. Traditional cheddar production involves pressing whey out of the cheese by stacking blocks of curd on top of each other, making the blocks bound together. Then they re-stack these stacks until the cheese becomes acidic and stringy. The next step involves cutting them into chips, salting them, and pressing them into hoops.
There are different types of cheddar cheese of various ages. For example, mild cheddar, semi-matured cheddar, matured cheddar, vintage cheddar, etc. Aged cheddar has a long lingering flavor and crumbled in the mouth.
What is Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan is a hard, dry, Italian cheese made of cow’s milk. Italians call it Parmigiano-Reggiano. Parmigiano-Reggiano is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk and is aged at least two years. Moreover, this cheese is produced only in Italy, in Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua, and Bologna provinces. Parmigiano-Reggiano is among the world’s top cheeses. However, cheeses labeled as Parmesan in the United States might be authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano or an imitation (a hard cheese made of cow’s milk). In fact, genuine parmesan is one of the most expensive cheeses in the world.
Genuine Parmesan cheese has a hard, gritty texture. Moreover, it is fruity and nutty in taste. Also, it is pale yellow in color. Moreover, parmesan is the cheese we use with Spaghetti and other Italian pasta; we can also use it in soups and risottos. You can also eat this eat as a snack.
Difference Between Mozzarella and Cheddar and Parmesan Cheese
Definition
Mozzarella is a soft, white, stretched Italian cheese made from the milk of water buffalos. Cheddar is a firm, smooth cheese that is yellow in color, while parmesan is a hard, dry Italian cheese made of cow’s milk.
Texture
Cheddar and parmesan are harder in texture than mozzarella, which is a soft cheese.
Milk
Mozzarella is made from buffalo milk, whereas cheddar and parmesan are made from cow’s milk.
Aging
While mozzarella is not an aged cheese, parmesan is aged for 3–8 months, and cheddar is typically aged more than a year.
Color
Mozzarella has a white color while parmesan has a light yellow color and cheddar has a brighter yellow color.
Origins
Mozzarella and Parmesan are Italian cheeses, while cheddar originates from England.
Conclusion
The main difference between mozzarella and cheddar and parmesan cheese is that mozzarella is a soft, white Italian cheese made from the milk of water buffalos, while cheddar is a firm, smooth cheese, and parmesan is a hard, dry, Italian cheese made of cow’s milk.
Reference:
1. “Parmesan.” Cheese.com.
2. “Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar Cheese Characteristics, Styles & Selection.” Dairy Australia, .
3. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “Learn All about Traditional Fresh Mozzarella Cheese.” The Spruce Eats.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Mozzarella di bufala2” By Popo le Chien – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cheddar Cheese” By Choo Yut Shing (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr
3. “Parmesan Cheese” By Emily (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr
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