Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Gouda Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, 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 Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Brie de Meaux is a soft cheese made from raw cow's milk in the Brie region of France, an AOC product since 1980. Wheels run 36 to 37 cm (14 to 14+1/2 in) across, with a delicate white rind and a straw-yellow, creamy interior.

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 Brie de Meaux Cheese and Gouda Cheese?

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Gouda Cheese's sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Gouda Cheese leans toward young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch.. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Brie de Meaux Cheese. For a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged profile, Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Gouda Cheese is closer to sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.

What is Brie de Meaux Cheese made of?

Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using bovi rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 4 weeks. It originates in France.

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, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged.