Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese vs Gouda Cheese
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is a granular or crumbly to clammy cow-milk cheese, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.
What Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas is a traditional cheese from Austria, specifically from the district of Liezen in the north-western part of Styria. It is a sour milk cheese made from raw or pasteurized skimmed cow's milk. The cheese is formed into a truncated cone weighing up to 4 kg and is made without rennet, using only acid coagulation. It is known for its crumbly texture and distinctive aroma, with a sour, strong, and piquant flavor. The cheese matures over at least three weeks, developing a dry, brownish or greyish surface with a layer of green or white mold. The interior is marbled, pale brown to brown-grey, with a granular or crumbly texture. The cheese is influenced by the local alpine flora, which contributes to its unique flavor and aroma.
What Is Gouda Cheese?
Gouda is a yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. It runs from young and elastic to old and hard, picking up a caramel sweetness and small crunchy crystals with age.
What's the Difference Between Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese and Gouda Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Granular or crumbly to clammy), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
- Rind: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
- Aging: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (At least three weeks), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
- Taste: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese | Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | District Of Liezen, North-Western Part Of Styria | Southern Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Granular or crumbly to clammy | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged |
| Rind | Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold | Durable |
| Aging | At least three weeks | 4 weeks to 21 months |
| Taste | Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp | Sweet to nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. On the nose, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese offers robust and spicy, with an earthy odor and mild ammonia note, contrasted with Gouda Cheese's sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note. Aging plays into this as well. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese at at least three weeks develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.
Can You Substitute Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
In most recipes, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese and Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect granular or crumbly to clammy bite and body where the recipe calls for solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged. Flavor-wise, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a granular or crumbly to clammy cheese, go with Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese. For a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged profile, Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese suits recipes that want sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is typically aged at least three weeks, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.
Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty. Aromas also diverge. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese leans robust and spicy, with an earthy odor and mild ammonia note, and Gouda Cheese is closer to sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.
What is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese made of?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized skimmed milk), using not used rennet. It's typically aged at least three weeks.
What is Gouda Cheese made of?
Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months. It originates in Netherlands.
Which should I choose, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is granular or crumbly to clammy, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged.