Boerenkaas Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese
Boerenkaas Cheese is a semi-hard cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.
What Is Boerenkaas Cheese?
Boerenkaas is a Dutch farmhouse cheese, mostly handmade from raw cow, goat, sheep or buffalo milk. Its name has been protected as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed in the European Union since 2007.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What's the Difference Between Boerenkaas Cheese and Cheddar Cheese?
- Origin: Boerenkaas Cheese (Netherlands), Cheddar Cheese (England)
- Milk type: Boerenkaas Cheese (buffalo's, cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Boerenkaas Cheese (unpasteurized), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
- Texture: Boerenkaas Cheese (semi-hard), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
- Taste: Boerenkaas Cheese (buttery, tangy), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Boerenkaas Cheese | Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | England |
| Specific Origin | The Netherlands | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) |
| Milk Type | Buffalo's, cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) |
| Rind | — | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) |
| Aging | — | A few months to several years |
| Taste | Buttery, tangy | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Boerenkaas Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character.
Can You Substitute Boerenkaas Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese can stand in for Cheddar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Boerenkaas Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Boerenkaas Cheese. For a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boerenkaas Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, tangy notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boerenkaas Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Boerenkaas Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Boerenkaas Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Cheddar Cheese uses cow.
Is Boerenkaas Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Boerenkaas Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Boerenkaas Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.
What is Boerenkaas Cheese made of?
Boerenkaas Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in Netherlands.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Boerenkaas Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boerenkaas Cheese is semi-hard, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).