Bartlett Cheese vs Gouda Cheese
Bartlett Cheese is a soft, artisan sheep-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.
What Is Bartlett Cheese?
Bartlett is a soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk in Somerset, England. It has a mold-ripened rind, which contributes to its aromatic and strong scent. The cheese is white in color and features a buttery and milky flavor profile. Its soft texture makes it an inviting choice for cheese boards or spreading on bread. Bartlett is appreciated for its rich taste and aromatic presence, offering a true taste of traditional English cheese-making.
What Is Gouda Cheese?
Gouda is a yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. It runs from young and elastic to old and hard, picking up a caramel sweetness and small crunchy crystals with age.
What's the Difference Between Bartlett Cheese and Gouda Cheese?
- Origin: Bartlett Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
- Milk type: Bartlett Cheese (sheep's milk), Gouda Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Bartlett Cheese (unpasteurized), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Bartlett Cheese (soft, artisan), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
- Rind: Bartlett Cheese (mold ripened), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
- Taste: Bartlett Cheese (buttery, milky), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bartlett Cheese | Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Somerset | Southern Holland |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged |
| Rind | Mold ripened | Durable |
| Aging | — | 4 weeks to 21 months |
| Taste | Buttery, milky | Sweet to nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Bartlett Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. On the nose, Bartlett Cheese offers aromatic, strong, contrasted with Gouda Cheese's sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.
Can You Substitute Bartlett Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese can stand in for Gouda Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Bartlett Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Bartlett Cheese. For a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged profile, Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, milky notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartlett Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bartlett Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk; Gouda Cheese uses cow.
Is Bartlett Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bartlett Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bartlett Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty. Aromas also diverge. Bartlett Cheese leans aromatic, strong, and Gouda Cheese is closer to sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.
What is Bartlett Cheese made of?
Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
What is Gouda Cheese made of?
Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months. It originates in Netherlands.
Which should I choose, Bartlett Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bartlett Cheese is soft, artisan, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged.