Edam Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Edam Cheese is a semi-hard, elastic cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Urdă Cheese is fresh, creamy and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

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

• Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Edam Cheese (Cow's milk), Urdă Cheese (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Edam Cheese (Semi-hard, elastic), Urdă Cheese (Fresh, creamy)
• Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
• Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. On the nose, Edam Cheese offers almost no smell when young, contrasted with Urdă Cheese's fresh. 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 Urdă Cheese leans toward creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Edam Cheese can stand in for Urdă 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 fresh, creamy. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Urdă 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 fresh, creamy profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edam Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Edam Cheese is made from cow milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Edam Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

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

Does Edam Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Urdă Cheese is high quality. Aromas also diverge. Edam Cheese leans almost no smell when young, and Urdă Cheese is closer to fresh.

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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is semi-hard, elastic, while Urdă Cheese is fresh, creamy.