Edam Holland Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Edam Holland Cheese is a firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age cow-milk cheese, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
What Is Edam Holland Cheese?
Edam Holland is a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands, made from cow's milk. It is known for its ball, loaf, or block shapes and is naturally matured in Dutch maturing rooms. The cheese has a mild to piquant flavor, depending on its age and type. It has a firm, smooth, and dry rind, formed by drying during maturation. The cheese's color ranges from ivory to yellow, with a uniform cross-section and small round holes. Edam Holland is matured for a minimum of 28 days, with a minimum of 21 days for the baby version. The cheese is made using pasteurized milk and non-genetically modified cultures, with rennet from calf or microbial sources.
What Is Roquefort Cheese?
Roquefort is a famous blue cheese from the south of France, made from sheep's milk. It is known for its strong, tangy flavor and moist, crumbly texture. The cheese is ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where it develops its characteristic blue veins from the mold Penicillium roqueforti.
What's the Difference Between Edam Holland Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Milk type: Edam Holland Cheese (Cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Edam Holland Cheese (Pasteurized), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Edam Holland Cheese (Firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Aging: Edam Holland Cheese (Minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version)), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
- Taste: Edam Holland Cheese (Mild to piquant), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Holland Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | Firm, smooth, dry, clean, no fungal flora | — |
| Aging | Minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version) | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | Mild to piquant | Mild to strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Holland Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Edam Holland Cheese reads as mild to piquant, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Holland Cheese at minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version) develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.
Can You Substitute Edam Holland Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
Edam Holland Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Edam Holland Cheese reads as mild to piquant while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Holland Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age cheese, go with Edam Holland Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Holland Cheese suits recipes that want mild to piquant notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Holland Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Holland Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Edam Holland Cheese is typically aged minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version), Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.
Is Edam Holland Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Edam Holland Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Edam Holland Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?
Edam Holland Cheese reads as mild to piquant, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong.
What is Edam Holland Cheese made of?
Edam Holland Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using calf's abomasum or microbial origin, not genetically modified rennet. It's typically aged minimum 28 days (21 days for baby version).
What is Roquefort Cheese made of?
Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Edam Holland Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Holland Cheese is firm, suitable for cutting; becomes firmer with age, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.