Lemon curd and lemon cheese are two popular spreads made from lemon zest, juice, sugar, eggs, and butter. While both spreads have a tangy and sweet flavor, they differ in their texture and preparation methods.
Below are the main Differences Between Lemon Curd and Lemon Cheese.
Lemon curd is a smooth and creamy spread that is made by cooking lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and butter together in a saucepan until thick and glossy. The mixture is then strained to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg, resulting in a smooth and velvety texture. Lemon curd is often used as a filling for tarts, cakes, and pastries, or as a spread on toast or scones.
Lemon cheese, on the other hand, is a thicker and grainier spread that is made by combining lemon juice, zest, sugar, and eggs in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. The mixture is then stirred constantly until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, and then it is removed from the heat and left to cool. The resulting texture of lemon cheese is slightly grainy due to the egg whites and lemon zest that are left in the mixture, giving it a more rustic and homemade feel. Lemon cheese is often used as a spread on bread, crackers, or as a filling for cakes and pastries.
One of the main differences between lemon curd and lemon cheese is their texture. Lemon curd is smooth and velvety, while lemon cheese has a thicker and grainier texture due to the bits of zest and egg whites left in the mixture. Another difference is their preparation methods; lemon curd is cooked on the stovetop, while lemon cheese is cooked using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
Overall, both lemon curd and lemon cheese offer a delicious and tangy flavor that can be used in a variety of recipes. The choice between the two will depend on the desired texture and the preparation method available.