Gouda Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gouda Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Southern Holland | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged | Hard |
| Rind | Durable | — |
| Aging | 4 weeks to 21 months | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Sweet to nutty | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and L'Etivaz 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gouda Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Gouda Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gouda Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and L'Etivaz Cheese is closer to smokey.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.