Frinault Cheese vs Gouda Cheese
Frinault Cheese is a soft, soft-ripened 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 Frinault Cheese?
Frinault is a soft cheese from the countryside around Orléans in France, made with pasteurized whole cow's milk at 50% fat. It comes as a small 120 g disc in three versions: plain, ash-ripened Frinault cendré, and the longer-aged Frinault sec.
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 Frinault Cheese and Gouda Cheese?
- Origin: Frinault Cheese (France), Gouda Cheese (Netherlands)
- Milk treatment: Frinault Cheese (pasteurized), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Frinault Cheese (soft, soft-ripened), Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged)
- Rind: Frinault Cheese (natural), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
- Aging: Frinault Cheese (about 2 weeks), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
- Taste: Frinault Cheese (spicy), Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Frinault Cheese | Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Orléans Area, Loiret, Centre-Val De Loire, France | Southern Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, soft-ripened | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged |
| Rind | Natural | Durable |
| Aging | About 2 weeks | 4 weeks to 21 months |
| Taste | Spicy | Sweet to nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Frinault Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?
Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty character. On the nose, Frinault Cheese offers fermented, contrasted with Gouda Cheese's sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note. More specifically, Frinault Cheese shows fruity and more perfumed in the cendré version, close to olivet cendré, while Gouda Cheese leans toward young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch.. Aging plays into this as well. Frinault Cheese at about 2 weeks develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.
Can You Substitute Frinault Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
In most recipes, Frinault Cheese and Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, soft-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese reads as spicy while Gouda Cheese brings sweet to nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Frinault Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, soft-ripened cheese, go with Frinault Cheese. For a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged profile, Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frinault Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Frinault Cheese originates in France, while Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Frinault Cheese is typically aged about 2 weeks, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.
Is Frinault Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Frinault Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Frinault Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?
Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Gouda Cheese is sweet to nutty. Aromas also diverge. Frinault Cheese leans fermented, and Gouda Cheese is closer to sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note.
What is Frinault Cheese made of?
Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 2 weeks. 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, Frinault Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Frinault Cheese is soft, soft-ripened, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged.