Cantal Cheese vs Edam Cheese

Cantal Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Edam Cheese is semi-hard, elastic and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Cantal Cheese?

Cantal is a firm, uncooked cow's milk cheese from the Auvergne region of central France and one of the oldest cheeses in the country. Its tangy, buttery flavor recalls Cheddar and sharpens with age, from the mild jeune to the hard, nutty vieux.

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 Cantal Cheese and Edam Cheese?

• Origin: Cantal Cheese (France), Edam Cheese (Netherlands)
• Milk treatment: Cantal Cheese (Raw), Edam Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Cantal Cheese (Semi-hard), Edam Cheese (Semi-hard, elastic)
• Rind: Cantal Cheese (Gray-white to golden), Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed)
• Aging: Cantal Cheese (Jeune: 30-60 days, Entre-Deux: 90-210 days, Vieux: >8 months), Edam Cheese (3 months to longer)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cantal Cheese Taste Like Edam Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Cantal Cheese shows jeune: soft, milk-and-butter. entre-deux: balanced, intense. vieux: powerful, spicy. diversity of grasslands contributes to flavor., while Edam Cheese leans toward sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities. Aging plays into this as well. Cantal Cheese at jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months develops a different profile than Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Cantal Cheese for Edam Cheese?

In most recipes, Cantal Cheese and Edam Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, elastic.

Which Is Better, Cantal Cheese or Edam Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Cantal Cheese. For a semi-hard, elastic profile, Edam Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cantal Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cantal Cheese originates in France, while Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Cantal Cheese is typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months, Edam Cheese 3 months to longer.

Is Cantal Cheese similar to Edam Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cantal Cheese for Edam Cheese?

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

Does Cantal Cheese taste like Edam Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Cantal Cheese made of?

Cantal Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months. It originates in France.

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, Cantal Cheese or Edam Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cantal Cheese is semi-hard, while Edam Cheese is semi-hard, elastic.