White Cheddar vs. Yellow Cheddar

Cheddar cheese comes in two main colors - the natural off-white color of milk, and the familiar golden yellow hue. You've likely seen both white and yellow cheddar in the dairy aisle or cheese counter and wondered if they taste the same.

As it turns out, white and yellow cheddar are nearly identical - the color is the only real difference.

What is Cheddar Cheese?

First, a quick cheddar primer. Cheddar cheese originated in the village of Cheddar in England. Made from cow's milk, it has a firm yet creamy texture with a tangy, full-bodied flavor that ranges from mild to sharp depending on age.

The process of making cheddar is known as "cheddaring". It involves separating the curds from the whey, then stacking, pressing, and flipping the curd slabs to remove moisture. This results in a denser, drier curd that develops the distinctive crumbly texture you expect from cheddar.

Cheddar can be aged from just a few months to over a year. In general, the longer it ages the sharper it becomes. Young or "mild" cheddar ages around 3 months. Sharp varieties age 1-2 years, while "extra sharp" cheddar can age for several years. Aged cheddar becomes more crumbly with rich, complex flavors.

What's the Difference Between White and Yellow Cheddar?

Traditionally, the color of cheddar depended on the milk from which it was made. Milk from grass-fed cows was naturally richer and more golden, resulting in a pale yellow cheddar.

Over time, cheesemakers found that adding compounds like annatto, a natural vegetable dye, helped standardize the color. Most yellow cheddar today uses annatto to achieve that familiar golden orange hue. Annatto does not affect the flavor or texture - it simply makes the color more consistent year-round.

So in terms of taste and texture, there is virtually no difference between white and yellow cheddar. The color variation is due to production methods rather than the ingredients or aging process. Both come from cow's milk and use the traditional "cheddaring" process. White cheddar achieves its pale, creamy color naturally, while yellow cheddar gets its golden tone from added annatto.

Key Takeaway: The only real difference between white and yellow cheddar is the use of annatto dye to make yellow cheddar appear more golden. The two taste and feel virtually identical.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Cheddar cheese is highly nutritious, offering an excellent source of protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins A and B12. It also contains moderate amounts of riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, selenium and more.

Both white and yellow cheddar provide the same nutritional content. Annatto does not significantly alter the nutrient makeup. So in terms of health and nutrition, the two cheeses are essentially equal. Those following low-fat or low-sodium diets should note that cheddar tends to be higher in both fat and salt than other cheeses.

Here is a nutritional comparison of equal serving sizes:

Overall the two cheeses are nutritionally interchangeable. The choice comes down to your taste preferences and desired use.

Popular Uses for White and Yellow Cheddar

The subtle flavor differences mean certain dishes tend to use one color over the other, but both work wonderfully for:

• Sandwiches like grilled cheese or sandwiches
• Burgers
• Macaroni and cheese
• Nachos
• Salads
• Soups
• Casseroles
• Snacking

Yellow cheddar lends itself well to melting and sauces. Its consistency when shredded or melted makes it perfect for:

• Classic cheeseburgers
• Grilled cheese
• Quesadillas
• Sauces
• Cheese dips
• Popcorn or pretzel topping

White cheddar shines when used for crumbling, slicing, or cubing thanks to its dense, crumbly texture. It's commonly used for:

• Salads
• Cheese trays
• Charcuterie
• Snacking
• Pastas
• Crumbles over chili or soups

So while the two can be used interchangeably in most recipes, their subtle differences make each one ideal for certain dishes.

Key Takeaway: Both white and yellow cheddar work well in sandwiches, casseroles, snacks and more. Yellow melts especially well, while white's crumbly texture shines sliced or cubed.

Availability and Price

Yellow cheddar dominates the mass-produced cheese market, especially in America. Most major cheese brands like Kraft only sell golden yellow "cheddar cheese". This ubiquity means yellow cheddar is widely available and usually lower cost.

White cheddar was originally more popular on the East Coast, specifically the New England area. Today you can still find more artisanal white cheddar varieties from this region. Less mass-market availability means white cheddar is sometimes harder to find and a bit pricier than its yellow counterpart.

Of course, with the growing artisanal cheese market, regional white cheddar is gaining wider distribution. And several mass brands now produce white cheddar options to compete with the popular yellow. So no matter where you live, you're likely to find both white and yellow cheddar cheese available to suit your cooking needs and budget.

Preferred Color Variety

With no major taste differences, which color cheddar you choose comes down to personal preference. Here are some factors that may sway your decision:

• Associating color with flavor - We often associate the golden color with richer cheese flavor. So yellow may taste better to you simply because that's what you expect from cheddar.
• Familiarity - If you grew up with yellow cheddar, white may look "wrong" to you. Sticking with what looks normal could mean yellow just seems more appetizing.
• Dye sensitivity - A small percentage have sensitivities to annatto and react to yellow cheddar but not white. Choosing white avoids potential issues.
• Perceived quality - Some prefer white cheddar from grass-fed cows because its natural color suggests a more wholesome, quality product.
• Environmental factors - A small minority voice concern over the environmental impact of annatto farming and transportation. Choosing local white cheddar eases those worries.
• Budget - As white cheddar tends to cost a bit more than readily-available yellow, sticking to yellow can save money.

Outside these personal factors, there is no meaningful difference beyond color. Both make an equally delicious and nutritious cheddar cheese. Select whichever variety you most enjoy eating!

FAQs

Why is some cheddar yellow and some white?

The natural color of cheddar made from cow's milk is off-white. Yellow cheddar gets its color from the annatto vegetable dye added during production. Annatto helps standardize the color so it's more consistent year-round.

Do white and yellow cheddar taste different?

No major taste difference exists between white and yellow cheddar made from cow's milk. The annatto dye does not significantly impact flavor. The choice comes down to the aging time (mild vs. sharp) and personal preference on color.

Is white or yellow cheddar healthier?

Both provide full cheddar nutrition - high protein, calcium, vitamins A/B12. White and yellow cheddar offer the same health benefits. Those limiting fat/sodium may find white slightly better as it's somewhat lower in both. But the differences are small enough to be interchangeable.

Can you substitute white for yellow cheddar (or vice versa) in recipes?

Absolutely! White and yellow cheddar can be freely substituted without impacting the recipe outcome. The only difference will be the final color. Where cheddar is melted, mixed into a sauce, or baked into casseroles, you won't even notice a color variation.

Conclusion

While white and yellow cheddar may look quite different, they share essentially the same origins, texture, rich flavor and nutritional makeup.

Aside from the annatto dye, the two cheeses are virtually identical.