Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Edam Cheese

Q: Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Edam Cheese?

No. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Edam 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 Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Edam Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Edam Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat 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.

Chèvre (Goat Cheese)

Edam Cheese

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese)?

Chèvre is the French name for cheese made from goat's milk. The classic French style is soft and creamy under a light colored rind, tart from the fatty acids in goat milk, and is sometimes served hot as chèvre chaud.

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 Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Edam Cheese?

Origin: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (France), Edam Cheese (Netherlands)
Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Edam Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Edam Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline)
Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed)
Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Edam Cheese (3 months to longer)
Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Chèvre (Goat Cheese)	Edam Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Netherlands
Specific Origin	France, Especially The Loire Valley And Poitou	North Of Holland
Milk Type	Goat	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Soft	Rubber-textured to crystalline
Rind	Light colored	Smooth, waxed
Aging	Not aged for long	3 months to longer
Taste	Tangy	Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery

Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Edam Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Edam Cheese's almost no smell when young. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, 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. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Edam Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Edam Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for rubber-textured to crystalline. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Edam Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Chèvre (Goat Cheese). For a rubber-textured to crystalline profile, Edam Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy 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 Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Edam Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) originates in France, while Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Edam Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Edam Cheese 3 months to longer.

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Edam Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Edam Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Edam Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Edam Cheese is sweet, milky, nutty, buttery. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Edam Cheese is closer to almost no smell when young.

What is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) made of?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged not aged for long. 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, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Edam Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline.