Red Leicester facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Red Leicester
Other names	Leicestershire, Leicester
Country of origin	England
Region	Leicestershire
Source of milk	Cattle
Pasteurised	Frequently
Texture	Hard
Fat content	33% total (48% as FDM)
Aging time	6 to 12 months

Red Leicester (also known as Leicester or Leicestershire cheese) is a popular English cheese. It's made a lot like Cheddar cheese, but it has a crumbly texture. This cheese is usually sold when it's between 6 and 12 months old.

You can easily spot Red Leicester because of its reddish-orange rind. This color comes from adding something called annatto extract during its making. People have been adding this since the 1700s! Red Leicester is made from cow's milk and gets its name from the city of Leicester in Leicestershire, England.

What Makes Red Leicester Special?

Traditional Red Leicester cheese wheels are quite firm and dry. They have a crumbly texture and a slightly sweet, mild taste. This flavor gets stronger as the cheese gets older.

Cheeses made in blocks are a bit softer and creamier. They often have a slightly sweet taste after you eat them. All Red Leicester cheese has a hint of a nutty flavor. Most versions you find in stores are colored with annatto. However, you can sometimes find Red Leicester without any added color.

How Long Is It Aged?

Red Leicester can be aged for different amounts of time. Some are young, aged for about four months. Others are "old," aged for up to nine months. Young cheeses are very mild in flavor. They usually need at least six months to develop their full, tangy taste.

Some farmers still make Red Leicester the old-fashioned way. They age the cheese wrapped in cloth. This method helps the cheese develop a richer flavor. Modern cheese makers often use special vacuum-sealed bags to age their Red Leicester.

The History of Red Leicester Cheese

Red Leicester cheese first came from farms in Leicestershire, England. Farmers would make it using extra milk they had. This was after they had made all the Stilton cheese they wanted.

The cheese was originally colored using juice from carrots or beetroot. This gave it its unique red color.

Why Is It Called "Red" Leicester?

This cheese used to be simply called Leicestershire Cheese. Later, it became known as Red Leicester. This name helped people tell it apart from "White Leicester." White Leicester was a different kind of cheese made during the 1940s. It was created because of food rationing during wartime.

Fat Content in Cheese

When Red Leicester cheese is fresh, about 33% to 34% of it is fat. Cheese regulations often talk about "fat in dry matter" (FDM). This is because cheese loses moisture as it ages. FDM measures the fat in the solid parts of the cheese. These solids include protein, minerals, vitamins, and salt. For Red Leicester, the minimum FDM is usually 48%.

See also

In Spanish: Red Leicester para niños