Edam Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Q: Is Edam Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No. Edam Cheese and Roquefort Cheese are distinct cheeses from Netherlands and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Edam Cheese for Roquefort Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Edam Cheese

Roquefort Cheese

Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

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 Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?

Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), Roquefort Cheese (France)
Milk type: Edam Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Roquefort Cheese (none)
Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Edam Cheese	Roquefort Cheese
Country of Origin	Netherlands	France
Specific Origin	North Of Holland	Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Rubber-textured to crystalline	Moist, very creamy
Rind	Smooth, waxed	None
Aging	3 months to longer	Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months
Taste	Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery	Mild to strong

Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Edam Cheese offers almost no smell when young, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. 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 Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

Edam Cheese can stand in for Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edam Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Edam Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Edam Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Edam Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong. Aromas also diverge. Edam Cheese leans almost no smell when young, and Roquefort Cheese is closer to sweet.

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 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 Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.