Gouda Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft 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 Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and Mont d'Or 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Mont d'Or 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 soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Mont d'Or 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 Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.