Bread Cheese vs Edam Cheese

Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Bread Cheese?

Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.

What Is Edam Cheese?

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, sold in flat-ended spheres under a red wax rind. It hardens rather than spoils, which made it the world's most popular cheese from the 14th to the 18th century.

What's the Difference Between Bread Cheese and Edam Cheese?

• Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Edam Cheese (Netherlands)
• Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Edam Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline)
• Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Edam Cheese (3 months to longer)
• Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Edam Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery character. On the nose, Bread Cheese offers appetizing when heated, contrasted with Edam Cheese's almost no smell when young. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Edam Cheese?

Bread Cheese can stand in for Edam Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for rubber-textured to crystalline. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Edam Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a rubber-textured to crystalline profile, Edam Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Edam Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bread Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Edam Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Edam Cheese 3 months to longer.

Is Bread Cheese similar to Edam Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Edam Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bread Cheese taste like Edam Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Edam Cheese is sweet, milky, nutty, buttery. Aromas also diverge. Bread Cheese leans appetizing when heated, and Edam Cheese is closer to almost no smell when young.

What is Bread Cheese made of?

Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.

What is Edam Cheese made of?

Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.

Which should I choose, Bread Cheese or Edam Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline.