Cabrales Cheese vs Gouda Holland Cheese

Q: Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Gouda Holland Cheese?

No. Cabrales Cheese and Gouda Holland Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gouda Holland Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Gouda Holland 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.

Cabrales Cheese is a crumbly, open paste cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Gouda Holland Cheese is slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age.

What Is Cabrales Cheese?

Cabrales is a strong, pungent blue cheese from the Asturias region in northern Spain. It is traditionally made from a mixture of raw cow's, goat’s, and sheep's milk that is aged in natural limestone caves, facilitating the development of its intense flavor and blue veining. Cabrales is known for its deep, spicy earthiness and can be quite sharp, making it a favorite among blue cheese aficionados.

What Is Gouda Holland Cheese?

Gouda Holland is a semi-hard cheese made in the Netherlands. It is a full-fat cheese with a fat content ranging from 48% to 52% in dry matter. The cheese is made from cows' milk sourced from Dutch dairy farms and is naturally matured in Dutch maturing rooms. Gouda Holland is shaped like a flattened cylinder, block, or loaf, and weighs between

What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Gouda Holland Cheese?

Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Gouda Holland Cheese (Cows' milk)
Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Gouda Holland Cheese (Pasteurised)
Texture: Cabrales Cheese (Crumbly, open paste), Gouda Holland Cheese (Slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age)
Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Gouda Holland Cheese (Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora)
Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Gouda Holland Cheese (Minimum 28 days to more than a year)
Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Gouda Holland Cheese (Aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cabrales Cheese	Gouda Holland Cheese
Country of Origin	Spain	—
Specific Origin	Asturias	—
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cows' milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Pasteurised
Texture	Crumbly, open paste	Slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age
Rind	Natural	Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora
Aging	2 to 3 months	Minimum 28 days to more than a year
Taste	Intense, piquant	Aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Gouda Holland Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gouda Holland Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong character. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Gouda Holland Cheese leans toward cumin may be added. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Gouda Holland Cheese at minimum 28 days to more than a year.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gouda Holland Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Gouda Holland Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, open paste bite and body where the recipe calls for slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Gouda Holland Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Gouda Holland Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, open paste cheese, go with Cabrales Cheese. For a slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age profile, Gouda Holland Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Gouda Holland Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Gouda Holland Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Gouda Holland Cheese minimum 28 days to more than a year.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Gouda Holland Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gouda Holland Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Gouda Holland Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gouda Holland Cheese is aromatic, pleasant, mild to strong.

What is Cabrales Cheese made of?

Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using kid rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Spain.

What is Gouda Holland Cheese made of?

Gouda Holland Cheese is made from milk (pasteurised), using calf's abomasum, bovine peptides, or microbial origin (not genetically modified) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 28 days to more than a year.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Gouda Holland Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is crumbly, open paste, while Gouda Holland Cheese is slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, firmer with age.