Edam Cheese vs Farmer's Cheese
Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Farmer's Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Is Farmer's Cheese?
Farmer's cheese is pressed curds, an unripened cheese made by adding rennet and a bacterial starter to milk. It comes from cow, sheep or goat milk, and the style ranges from pressed cottage cheese to a firm wheel close to Monterey Jack.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Farmer's Cheese?
- Milk type: Edam Cheese (cow's milk), Farmer's Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Farmer's Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Farmer's Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Farmer's Cheese (unripened)
- Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Farmer's Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | Farmer's Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | — |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Rubber-textured to crystalline | Soft |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | Natural |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | Unripened |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | Creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Farmer's Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Farmer's Cheese brings creamy character. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Farmer's Cheese at unripened.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Farmer's Cheese?
Edam Cheese can stand in for Farmer's Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect rubber-textured to crystalline bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Farmer's Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Farmer's Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a rubber-textured to crystalline cheese, go with Edam Cheese. For a soft profile, Farmer's Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Farmer's Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as Farmer's Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese is made from cow milk; Farmer's Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Farmer's Cheese unripened.
Is Edam Cheese similar to Farmer's Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Farmer's Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Edam Cheese taste like Farmer's Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Farmer's Cheese is creamy.
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.
What is Farmer's Cheese made of?
Farmer's Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged unripened.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Farmer's Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Farmer's Cheese is soft.