Cheddar Cheese vs Edam Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Edam Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and Netherlands respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Edam Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Edam Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Edam 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.

Cheddar Cheese

Edam Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

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 Cheddar Cheese and Edam Cheese?

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Edam Cheese (Netherlands)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Edam Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Edam Cheese (3 months to longer)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Edam Cheese
Country of Origin	England	Netherlands
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	North Of Holland
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Rubber-textured to crystalline
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Smooth, waxed
Aging	A few months to several years	3 months to longer
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Edam Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, 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. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Edam Cheese?

In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Edam Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for rubber-textured to crystalline. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Edam Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a rubber-textured to crystalline profile, Edam Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Edam Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Edam Cheese 3 months to longer.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Edam Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Edam Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Edam Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Edam Cheese is sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.

What is Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

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, Cheddar Cheese or Edam Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline.