Cabrales Cheese vs Gouda Cheese
Cabrales Cheese
Gouda Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a crumbly, open paste cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Gouda Cheese is a cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese, originating in Netherlands.
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 Cheese?
Gouda is a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. It is typically made from cow's milk and aged to develop a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a smooth, firm texture. Young Gouda is mild and creamy, while aged Gouda becomes hard and crumbly with intense flavors.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Gouda Cheese?
- Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Gouda Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
- Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Southern Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, open paste | — |
| Rind | Natural | Durable |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | Sweet to nutty |
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Where to buy Cabrales Cheese and Gouda Cheese
Cabrales Cheese
Gouda Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Gouda Cheese leans toward young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch..
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Gouda Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Gouda Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty.
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 Cheese made of?
Gouda Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Netherlands.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.
See full profiles: Cabrales Cheese and Gouda Cheese.