Edam Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Rubber-textured to crystalline | Hard |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | — |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. On the nose, Edam Cheese offers almost no smell when young, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey. 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 L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
In most recipes, Edam Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect rubber-textured to crystalline bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Edam Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Edam Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty. Aromas also diverge. Edam Cheese leans almost no smell when young, and L'Etivaz Cheese is closer to smokey.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.