Beaufort Cheese vs Edam Holland Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Edam Holland Cheese is firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age and made from cow milk.
What Is Beaufort Cheese?
Beaufort is a smooth, creamy cheese from the Savoie region of France. Known for its distinct concave wheel shape, it is produced from raw cow's milk and aged in mountain caves for a minimum of five months. Beaufort has a strong, sweet taste and is often used in fondue due to its excellent melting properties.
What Is Edam Holland Cheese?
Edam Holland is a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands, made from cow's milk. It is known for its ball, loaf, or block shapes and is naturally matured in Dutch maturing rooms. The cheese has a mild to piquant flavor, depending on its age and type. It has a firm, smooth, and dry rind, formed by drying during maturation. The cheese's color ranges from ivory to yellow, with a uniform cross-section and small round holes. Edam Holland is matured for a minimum of 28 days, with a minimum of 21 days for the baby version. The cheese is made using pasteurized milk and non-genetically modified cultures, with rennet from calf or microbial sources.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Edam Holland Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Edam Holland Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Edam Holland Cheese (Firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Edam Holland Cheese (Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Edam Holland Cheese (Minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Edam Holland Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | Minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version) |
| Taste | — | Mild to piquant |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Edam Holland Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Edam Holland Cheese at minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version).
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Edam Holland Cheese?
In most recipes, Beaufort Cheese and Edam Holland Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Edam Holland Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age profile, Edam Holland Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Edam Holland Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Edam Holland Cheese minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version).
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Edam Holland Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Edam Holland Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Edam Holland Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Beaufort Cheese made of?
Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.
What is Edam Holland Cheese made of?
Edam Holland Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using calf's abomasum or microbial origin, not genetically modified rennet. It's typically aged minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version).
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Edam Holland Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Edam Holland Cheese is firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age.