Edam Cheese vs Stelvio Cheese

Edam Cheese is a semi-hard, elastic cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Stelvio Cheese is semi-hard, elastic and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Stelvio Cheese?

Stelvio, known in German as Stilfser, is a protected designation of origin cow's milk cheese from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in northern Italy. It is known for its yellow to orange-brown rind, springy pale yellow paste, and pronounced, sometimes sharp taste.

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

• Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), Stelvio Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Stelvio Cheese (Lightly skimmed to regulate fat content)
• Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Stelvio Cheese (Yellow to orange-brown)
• Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Stelvio Cheese (Minimum of sixty days)
• Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Stelvio Cheese (Aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Stelvio Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Stelvio Cheese brings aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent character. On the nose, Edam Cheese offers almost no smell when young, contrasted with Stelvio Cheese's boiled milk, butter, mature hay. 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 Stelvio Cheese leans toward typical of the mountain cheeses, small irregular eyeholes. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Stelvio Cheese at minimum of sixty days.

Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Stelvio Cheese?

In most recipes, Edam Cheese and Stelvio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Stelvio Cheese brings aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Stelvio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Stelvio Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edam Cheese the same as Stelvio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Stelvio Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Stelvio Cheese minimum of sixty days.

Is Edam Cheese similar to Stelvio Cheese?

Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.

Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Stelvio Cheese?

Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.

Does Edam Cheese taste like Stelvio Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Stelvio Cheese is aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent. Aromas also diverge. Edam Cheese leans almost no smell when young, and Stelvio Cheese is closer to boiled milk, butter, mature hay.

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 Stelvio Cheese made of?

Stelvio Cheese is made from cow milk (lightly skimmed to regulate fat content), using calf rennet or other rennet including plant origin, not genetically modified rennet. It's typically aged minimum of sixty days. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Stelvio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.