Ackawi Cheese vs Gouda Holland Cheese
Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Gouda Holland Cheese is slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age.
What Is Ackawi Cheese?
Akkawi is a white brine cheese from the Levant, named after the port city of Acre. It is usually made from pasteurized cow's milk, cured two days in salted whey brine, and eaten with soft flatbread or on its own as a table cheese.
What Is Gouda Holland Cheese?
Gouda Holland is a semi-hard cheese made in the Netherlands. It is a full-fat cheese with a fat content ranging from 48% to 52% in dry matter. The cheese is made from cows' milk sourced from Dutch dairy farms and is naturally matured in Dutch maturing rooms. Gouda Holland is shaped like a flattened cylinder, block, or loaf, and weighs between
What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Gouda Holland Cheese?
- Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Gouda Holland Cheese (Cows' milk)
- Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Gouda Holland Cheese (Pasteurised)
- Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Gouda Holland Cheese (Slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age)
- Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Gouda Holland Cheese (Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora)
- Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Gouda Holland Cheese (Minimum 28 days to more than a year)
- Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Gouda Holland Cheese (Aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ackawi Cheese | Gouda Holland Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East And Syria | — |
| Specific Origin | The Levant, Middle East | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cows' milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurised |
| Texture | Soft, brined | Slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age |
| Rind | Natural | Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora |
| Aging | 2 days in brine | Minimum 28 days to more than a year |
| Taste | Mild, milky, salty | Aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Gouda Holland Cheese?
Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Gouda Holland Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Gouda Holland Cheese at minimum 28 days to more than a year.
Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Gouda Holland Cheese?
Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Gouda Holland Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, brined bite and body where the recipe calls for slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Gouda Holland Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong notes.
Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Gouda Holland Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, brined cheese, go with Ackawi Cheese. For a slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age profile, Gouda Holland Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Gouda Holland Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Gouda Holland Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Gouda Holland Cheese minimum 28 days to more than a year.
Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Gouda Holland Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Gouda Holland Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Gouda Holland Cheese?
Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Gouda Holland Cheese is aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong.
What is Ackawi Cheese made of?
Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 days in brine. It originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria.
What is Gouda Holland Cheese made of?
Gouda Holland Cheese is made from milk (pasteurised), using calf's abomasum, bovine peptides, or microbial origin (not genetically modified) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 28 days to more than a year.
Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Gouda Holland Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Gouda Holland Cheese is slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age.