Red Leicester Nutrition Benefits and Facts

Nutritional summary

Red Leicester contains significant amounts of salt, with a UK-wide survey of 21 products finding an average salt content of 1.69g per 100g .
The salt levels in Red Leicester are generally comparable to Cheddar, though slightly lower than the average found in blue cheeses or processed cheese spreads .
This cheese is a source of calcium and phosphorus, which are standard components of the hard cheese matrix that support bone health.
The distinct orange-red hue of Red Leicester is traditionally derived from the addition of annatto (a seed-derived pigment), which contributes to the presence of beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) in the cheese.

Interesting fact

The characteristic red-orange color of Red Leicester was traditionally achieved by adding annatto, a natural vegetable dye from the seeds of the achiote tree, to distinguish it from other cheeses like Cheddar and to suggest a richer, creamier milk content.

Standout nutrients

EPIC

SOURCE

Calcium

EPIC

SOURCE

Phosphorus

EPIC

SOURCE

Iodine

SUPER

SOURCE

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

403

kcal per 100g

Protein25.0g

Fat33.6g

Sugar0.10g

Fat breakdown

Polyunsat1.00g

Monounsat9.80g

Saturated21.1g

Trans1.44g

Seasonality

Not available

Diet

VegetarianGluten FreeKeto

Sustainability

Not available

Storage

Refrigerate

2–4 weeks

Wrap in cheese paper or parchment paper, then place in an airtight container or loosely in a plastic bag to allow it to breathe and prevent drying out.

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 1 validated source

McCance & Widdowson

1 contributing source food

Claim citations

Cross-sectional survey of salt content in cheese: a major contributor to salt intake in the UK - PMC

[2]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

31.3

Version

Similar flavours

Explore flavour space →