Gouda Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Q: Is Gouda Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No. Gouda Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese are distinct cheeses from Netherlands and Norway respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Gouda Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Gouda Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

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 Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?

Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Gouda Cheese	Jarlsberg Cheese
Country of Origin	Netherlands	Norway
Specific Origin	Southern Holland	Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged	Semihard
Rind	Durable	Plastic-covered
Aging	4 weeks to 21 months	Three months to twelve months
Taste	Sweet to nutty	Mild, sweet, nutty

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.

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.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.