Gouda Cheese vs Laguiole Cheese

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

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 Laguiole Cheese?

Laguiole is a pressed, uncooked cheese from the Aubrac plateau in southern France, made only from raw Simmental or Aubrac cow's milk. Protected by AOC since 1961, it is the main cheese in aligot, the regional dish of mashed potatoes with cream and butter.

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

• Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Laguiole Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Laguiole Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Laguiole Cheese (Firm and supple)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Laguiole Cheese (Dry whitish to light gray, aging to amber-brown to granite gray)
• Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Laguiole Cheese (4-10+ months)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Laguiole Cheese (Medium to intense)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Laguiole Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Laguiole Cheese's milky and fresh grass, dried meat. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Laguiole Cheese leans toward dry whitish to light gray rind transitioning to amber-brown to granite gray as aged. the body is ivory to straw yellow. flavor ranges from milky and fresh grass to nuts, with a lactic flavor varying by age. consumed as a table cheese, in salads, or for cooking. noted for use in aligot de l’aubrac.. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Laguiole Cheese at 4-10+ months.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and Laguiole 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 firm and supple. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Laguiole 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 firm and supple profile, Laguiole Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Laguiole Cheese fits dishes calling for medium to intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Laguiole Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Laguiole Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Laguiole Cheese 4-10+ months.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Laguiole Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Laguiole Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Laguiole Cheese is medium to intense. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Laguiole Cheese is closer to milky and fresh grass, dried meat.

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 Laguiole Cheese made of?

Laguiole Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-10+ months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Laguiole 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 Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple.