Coulommiers Cheese vs Gouda Cheese

Coulommiers Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Coulommiers Cheese?

Coulommiers is a soft ripened cow's milk cheese from the town of Coulommiers in Seine-et-Marne, France. It is a smaller, thicker cousin of Brie with a nuttier flavor, sold as a disc under a white bloomy rind.

What Is Gouda Cheese?

Gouda is a yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. It runs from young and elastic to old and hard, picking up a caramel sweetness and small crunchy crystals with age.

What's the Difference Between Coulommiers Cheese and Gouda Cheese?

• Origin: Coulommiers Cheese (France), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
• Milk treatment: Coulommiers Cheese (unpasteurized), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Coulommiers Cheese (Soft), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
• Rind: Coulommiers Cheese (White Penicillium candidum), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
• Aging: Coulommiers Cheese (4-8 weeks), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
• Taste: Coulommiers Cheese (Fresh, creamy to fine, stronger), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Coulommiers Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?

Coulommiers Cheese reads as fresh, creamy to fine, stronger, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. More specifically, Coulommiers Cheese shows factory-made: fresh, creamy, firm. artisanal: more distinctive, reddish blush on rind, finer flavor, readiness to run, matured 5-8 weeks., while Gouda Cheese leans toward young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch.. Aging plays into this as well. Coulommiers Cheese at 4-8 weeks develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.

Can You Substitute Coulommiers Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

In most recipes, Coulommiers Cheese and Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged. Flavor-wise, Coulommiers Cheese reads as fresh, creamy to fine, stronger while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Coulommiers Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Coulommiers Cheese. For a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged profile, Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Coulommiers Cheese suits recipes that want fresh, creamy to fine, stronger notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coulommiers Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Coulommiers Cheese originates in France, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Coulommiers Cheese is typically aged 4-8 weeks, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.

Is Coulommiers Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Coulommiers Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

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

Does Coulommiers Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?

Coulommiers Cheese reads as fresh, creamy to fine, stronger, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty.

What is Coulommiers Cheese made of?

Coulommiers Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-8 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Gouda Cheese made of?

Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months. It originates in Netherlands.

Which should I choose, Coulommiers Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Coulommiers Cheese is soft, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged.