Edam Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Edam Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Edam Cheese is a semi-hard, elastic cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
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Buy Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Edam Cheese (Cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Semi-hard, elastic), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Semi-soft)
- Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | France |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, elastic | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | Gray-blue |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Edam Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, elastic bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, elastic cheese, go with Edam Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Edam Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Edam Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Edam Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is semi-hard, elastic, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.