Gouda Cheese vs Manchego Cheese

In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Gouda Cheese and Manchego Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Gouda Cheese and Manchego Cheese?"
  • "Is Gouda Cheese and Manchego Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Gouda Cheese compare to Manchego Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Gouda Cheese compare to Manchego Cheese?"
  • "Is Gouda Cheese or Manchego Cheese better?"

Gouda Cheese Overview

Gouda is a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. It is typically made from cow's milk and aged to develop a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a smooth, firm texture. Young Gouda is mild and creamy, while aged Gouda becomes hard and crumbly with intense flavors.

Manchego Cheese Overview

Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Gouda is ranked #2 out of 375 types.

Manchego is ranked #37 out of 375 types.

Country of Origin

Gouda Cheese comes from Netherlands. Manchego Cheese originated from Spain.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Gouda is not a protected cheese. Manchego Cheese has a PDO (1984).

Milk Type and Treatment

Gouda Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Manchego Cheese is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Gouda Cheese has a moisture content of reduced by scalding. Gouda's texture can be described as "varies". Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".

Flavor and Aroma

Gouda Cheese has a sweet to nutty flavor. Manchego Cheese has a slightly acidic flavor.

Appearance and Aging

Gouda Cheese's appearance is colored yellow , is available in large wheels and is aged varies . Manchego Cheese has a color of white to yellowish ivory , comes in cylindrical with flat faces and has an aging period of fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) .

Rind and Rennet Type

Gouda Cheese's rind is described as durable . Manchego Cheese's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints , with animal rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Gouda Cheese Manchego Cheese
Country of Origin Netherlands Spain
Specific Origin Southern Holland La Mancha region
Certification None PDO (1984)
Milk Type Cow’s milk Manchega ewe's milk
Milk Treatment Pasteurized Raw or pasteurized
Moisture Content Reduced by scalding
Rind Durable Pleita and flor imprints
Texture Varies Compact
Flavor Sweet to nutty Slightly acidic
Colors Yellow White to yellowish ivory
Forms Large wheels Cylindrical with flat faces
Age Varies Fresco (2 weeks), Semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), Curado (3-6 months), Viejo or Anejo (1 year)
Rennet Type Animal rennet

Compare Gouda Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Manchego Cheese to Other Cheeses