It goes without saying that every kitchen is incomplete without cheese. It’s a staple for many dishes and is widely used worldwide. Every cheese lover out there would know that it has plenty of types, including parmesan, feta, gouda, mozzarella, old English cheese, and several others.
Although mozzarella and cheddar cheese are popular options, professional chefs often prefer some exotic types of cheese, which is why English cheese has become quite popular in the culinary world.
While old English cheese is known for its supreme quality and taste, its high price may bother you, and only those with pockets deep enough can afford to have it regularly, which is why you may want to consider its alternatives.
So, in this article, we’d share the eight most suitable old English cheese substitutes on the market.
Old English Cheese Substitutes
To illustrate, old English cheese is known as pasteurized cheese (the cheese is pasteurized). It is made from sharp cheddar.
The old English cheese is particularly famous for its spread, and it has been around for decades. It can be added as an ingredient in the recipes, and people also use it as a spread with crackers.
The old English cheese is highly versatile and could be used with plenty of dishes, which is why people prefer it for camping and picnics. Even more, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
However, it’s not used in all parts of the world, and you may or may not find it in your area. So, let’s have a look at the substitutes!
1. Make Your Own
Before you opt for the ready-made substitutes of old English cheese, you can always try making your own cheese. The good news for you is that making cheese at home is “as easy as pie.”
For this purpose, take 7-8 cups of pure milk and put it into a bowl. Now bring it to a simmer (just below the boiling point). Keep stirring it constantly to keep it from scorching.
As soon as it comes to a simmer, you can slightly reduce the heat level and adjust it to medium. Now add 5-6 tablespoons of white vinegar to the milk. However, don’t add them at once. Add a maximum of two tablespoons at a time, and don’t forget to stir for some time after each addition.
After a few minutes, you’d notice that the milk is segregated into curds and whey. To make sure that it has appropriately separated, remove it from heat and give it some time to cool down a bit.
Now take a colander and cover it with a double layer of cheesecloth. Once the milk has cooled down, put it onto the cheesecloth and strain it to remove extra whey. Now let it sit for an hour or two, or until you feel that the cheese has reached your desired texture.
Be mindful that the longer you wait, the firmer it will get. That’s it! Your delicious and fresh cheese is ready! Add salt, olive oil, or any other additives as per your liking. You can eat it right off the bat or refrigerate it for a week or two.
2. Crumbly Cheshire
You can also opt for crumbly Cheshire if you don’t want to make the old English cheese at home. This is the most versatile cheese out there, and that’s why it’s a great alternative to the old English cheese.
You can use it in salads, cheese tarts, squash, and several dishes. It offers you the perfect combination of tangy flavor and light texture. However, you may find the overall taste a bit mild.
However, it is essential to note that crumbly Cheshire is not eaten globally. Hence, it may not be available in your region. If it’s not, keep reading to find out the other substitutes for old English cheese.
3. Graceburn
In case you don’t like Cheshire cheese, you can opt for graceburn. This is actually the English version of feta, but the creamy texture makes it a perfect substitute for old English cheese. In addition, the creamy flavor of graceburn makes it the best of both worlds, and of course, the cheese lovers are all for it.
That being said, it is pertinent to mention that graceburn can be a bit expensive, and consuming it regularly may disturb your kitchen budget. However, you’d surely like its creamy texture and excellent taste.
The best thing about graceburn is that it can be used as marination when mixed with bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns, and thyme. So, it’s a versatile choice!
4. Stilton
Sharp, creamy, and sweet, this is how we explain stilton cheese. It is the perfect substitute for old English cheese for many reasons. Its sharp flavor with creamy texture is enough to water your mouth.
For the most part, the taste is unique, so it might not be great for first-timers. The proportion of salt in Stilton is also relatively lower than in other types of cheese.
5. Sussex Charmer
For the most part, Sussex charmer is a combination of cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. The combination of these two types of cheese is hard-pressed, and as a result, this cheese has a longer shelf life compared to other cheeses.
However, it is available in solid form, so you will need to grate it before adding it to the recipe. In addition, the users can melt it to make it into the liquid (or spread) form.
6. Mild Cheddar
Mild cheddar can make a great substitute for old English cheese. However, as its name implies, it has a relatively milder taste. Its gentle flavor makes it a great option for a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, and others.
To make mild cheddar cheese at home, take rock salt in a bowl. Now dilute it with some water and stir it for some time. Now warm the milk in a double boiler at about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the milk is warm enough, add a piece of cheese culture. Now close the lid and let it sit for about 35-45 minutes. After that, add one tbsp of the rock salt mixture and one tablespoon of vinegar while keeping the standard temperature.
After some time, you’d see a thin layer of curd. The smaller the curd particles, the drier the cheese will get. Now cut the curd layer to release the whey. Cook it directly for 10 minutes. Now pour the mixture on a cheesecloth and drain the whey. That’s it; your mild cheddar cheese is ready!
7. High Weald Halloumi
Otherwise known as grilled cheese, the high weald halloumi cheese is a staple of Mediterranean dishes. It has a mild salty flavor and happens to be a bit firmer than the old English cheese. This cheese could also be made at home using the milk of buffalo or goat.
The cool thing about the high weald halloumi cheese is that it doesn’t melt as readily as most other types of cheese do, making it an ideal option for grilling or frying. You can put it on your BBQ grill just as a chunk of chicken.
Thanks to its layered and flaky texture, it makes a great combination with salads and sandwiches as well. As far as the flavor is concerned, it has a briny flavor. However, it happens to be a bit pricier than other cheeses.
8. Hampshire Buffalo Mozzarella
When substituting old English cheese, you obviously have to opt for cheese with a soft texture. That being said, Hampshire buffalo mozzarella has a soft and milky texture which makes it perfect for salads.
In addition, it has a moist texture, hence an excellent drop for veggies and fruits. From your favorite dishes to salads, you can use the Hampshire buffalo mozzarella cheese with plenty of food items.