Edam Cheese vs Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese
Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' and made from cow 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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Noord-Hollandse Gouda is a cow's milk Gouda from North Holland and one of three Dutch Goudas with EU protected status. It is made only in the Netherlands, from milk of Dutch cows, and ranges from mild and elastic at four weeks to hard and sharp past a year.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product')
- Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Closed, smooth, yellow, no visible mold growth)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months)
- Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | — |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | North Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Rubber-textured to crystalline | Pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | Closed, smooth, yellow, no visible mold growth |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | Minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | Aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp |
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp 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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese leans toward less salty than other gouda cheeses, cumin may be added. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
In most recipes, Edam Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda 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 pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product'. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Noord-Hollandse Gouda 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 pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' profile, Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Is Edam Cheese similar to Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Edam Cheese taste like Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp.
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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese made of?
Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using calf or microbial rennet, no genetically modified organisms used rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product'.