Edam Cheese vs Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese
Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow or goat 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 Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Formaggio d'alpe ticinese is a semi-hard raw milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Ticino, Switzerland, during the summer grazing months. It is known for its brown-grey rind and, in some valleys, a share of goat milk blended into the cow milk.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
- Milk type: Edam Cheese (cow's milk), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (cow, sometimes with up to 30% goat)
- Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (semi-hard)
- Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (natural, washed in brine)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (60 days to about 1 year)
- Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (mild when young, spicier with age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | — |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | Ticino, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, sometimes with up to 30% goat |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Rubber-textured to crystalline | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | Natural, washed in brine |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | 60 days to about 1 year |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | Mild when young, spicier with age |
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese brings mild when young, spicier with age character. More specifically, Edam Cheese shows sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese leans toward varies by alp according to the local pasture flora. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese at 60 days to about 1 year.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Edam Cheese can stand in for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese 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 semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese brings mild when young, spicier with age notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Formaggio d'alpe ticinese 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 semi-hard profile, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese fits dishes calling for mild when young, spicier with age.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese is made from cow milk; Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese uses cow or goat. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese 60 days to about 1 year.
Is Edam Cheese similar to Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Edam Cheese taste like Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is mild when young, spicier with age.
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 Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese made of?
Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is made from cow or goat milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 60 days to about 1 year.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is semi-hard.