Boerenkaas Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese
Boerenkaas Cheese is a semi-hard cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Boerenkaas Cheese
Buy Parmesan Cheese
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 Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.
What's the Difference Between Boerenkaas Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?
- Origin: Boerenkaas Cheese (Netherlands), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Boerenkaas Cheese (Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Boerenkaas Cheese (Semi-hard), Parmesan Cheese (Hard)
- Taste: Boerenkaas Cheese (buttery, tangy), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Boerenkaas Cheese | Parmesan Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Italy |
| Specific Origin | The Netherlands | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | Minimum 12 months, average 2 years |
| Taste | Buttery, tangy | Salty, savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Boerenkaas Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character.
Can You Substitute Boerenkaas Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese can stand in for Parmesan 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.
Which Is Better, Boerenkaas Cheese or Parmesan 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 hard profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boerenkaas Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, tangy notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boerenkaas Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Boerenkaas Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Boerenkaas Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Parmesan Cheese uses cow.
Is Boerenkaas Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Boerenkaas Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Boerenkaas Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, 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 Parmesan Cheese made of?
Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Boerenkaas Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boerenkaas Cheese is semi-hard, while Parmesan Cheese is hard.