Fourme d'Ambert Cheese vs Gouda Cheese

Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, 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 Fourme d'Ambert Cheese?

Fourme d'Ambert is a semi-hard blue cheese from the Auvergne region of France, sold in a narrow cylinder. One of the country's oldest cheeses, it dates back to Roman times and is inoculated with Penicillium roqueforti.

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 Fourme d'Ambert Cheese and Gouda Cheese?

• Origin: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (France), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
• Milk treatment: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (mostly pasteurized, some raw), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (semi-hard), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
• Rind: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (Light gray-blue), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
• Aging: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (Minimum 28 days from the date of renneting), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
• Taste: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese (Mild blue cheese), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Fourme d'Ambert Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?

Fourme d'Ambert Cheese reads as mild blue cheese, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. On the nose, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese offers underwood, contrasted with Gouda Cheese's sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note. More specifically, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese shows subtle, delicate, creamy, balanced, while Gouda Cheese leans toward young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch.. Aging plays into this as well. Fourme d'Ambert Cheese at minimum 28 days from the date of renneting develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.

Can You Substitute Fourme d'Ambert Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

In most recipes, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese and Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged. Flavor-wise, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese reads as mild blue cheese while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Fourme d'Ambert Cheese. For a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged profile, Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese suits recipes that want mild blue cheese notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fourme d'Ambert Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fourme d'Ambert Cheese originates in France, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is typically aged minimum 28 days from the date of renneting, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.

Is Fourme d'Ambert Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Fourme d'Ambert Cheese for Gouda Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Fourme d'Ambert Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?

Fourme d'Ambert Cheese reads as mild blue cheese, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty. Aromas also diverge. Fourme d'Ambert Cheese leans underwood, and Gouda Cheese is closer to sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.

What is Fourme d'Ambert Cheese made of?

Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is made from cow milk (mostly pasteurized, some raw). It's typically aged minimum 28 days from the date of renneting. It originates in France.

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, Fourme d'Ambert Cheese or Gouda Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fourme d'Ambert Cheese is semi-hard, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged.