Difference between "larder" and "pantry"

What is the difference between larder and pantry? Is it size? Or content?

I found very similar definitions for both terms, something like

a room/place in which food is stored.

Which of the words is better for a separate room next to the kitchen, and which is better for a food-dedicated cupboard? Or even for a separate house for food storage, like they used to have in castles?


Solution 1:

I think that today there is no big difference. A long time ago meat was stored in vats of lard in cooler rooms (hence: larder), while regular foods were kept in pantries. Today, pantry is used far more often than larder, especially in a residential context.Ngram

Solution 2:

I would say it's specifically a matter of usage.

"Pantry" is the preferred term in the US for a separate room next to the kitchen or a closet/cupboard where food is stored, whereas "larder" and "pantry" are more or less equally used in the UK to refer to that place.

pantry: a room or closet in which food, groceries, and other provisions, or silverware, dishes, etc., are kept.

larder: a room or place where food is stored; pantry.