Brie de Melun Cheese vs Gouda Cheese

Q: Is Brie de Melun Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?

No. Brie de Melun Cheese and Gouda Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Netherlands respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Brie de Melun Cheese for Gouda Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Brie de Melun Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Brie de Melun 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 Melun Cheese?

Brie de Melun is a soft unpasteurised cow's milk cheese from the Brie region of France, one of only two bries the French government certifies. It is smaller than Brie de Meaux, with a stronger flavour and a more pungent smell, and has held AOC status since 1980.

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 Melun Cheese and Gouda Cheese?

Origin: Brie de Melun Cheese (France), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
Milk treatment: Brie de Melun Cheese (unpasteurized), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
Texture: Brie de Melun Cheese (Soft), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
Rind: Brie de Melun Cheese (Bloomy), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
Aging: Brie de Melun Cheese (at least four or five weeks), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
Taste: Brie de Melun Cheese (salty, sharp, sour, strong), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Brie de Melun Cheese	Gouda Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Netherlands
Specific Origin	Melun	Southern Holland
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Texture	Soft	Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged
Rind	Bloomy	Durable
Aging	At least four or five weeks	4 weeks to 21 months
Taste	Salty, sharp, sour, strong	Sweet to nutty

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

Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. On the nose, Brie de Melun Cheese offers grassy, musty, contrasted with Gouda Cheese's sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note. More specifically, Brie de Melun Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, 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 Melun Cheese at at least four or five weeks develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Melun 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 Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Melun 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 Melun 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 Melun Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, sour, strong notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Melun Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Melun Cheese originates in France, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Brie de Melun Cheese is typically aged at least four or five weeks, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.

Is Brie de Melun Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Melun Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?

Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Melun Cheese leans grassy, musty, and Gouda Cheese is closer to sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.

What is Brie de Melun Cheese made of?

Brie de Melun Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least four or five 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 Melun Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

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