Gouda Cheese vs Morlacco Cheese
Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Morlacco Cheese is soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Morlacco Cheese?
Morlacco is a soft, low-fat cow's milk cheese from Monte Grappa in Italy's Veneto region, made with an uncooked curd. It is known for the milk of the Burlina cow, a piebald local breed now at risk of extinction.
What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Morlacco Cheese?
- Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Morlacco Cheese (Italy)
- Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Morlacco Cheese (skimmed or whole)
- Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Morlacco Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Morlacco Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Morlacco Cheese (20 days to 3 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gouda Cheese | Morlacco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Southern Holland | Monte Grappa, Veneto, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Skimmed or whole |
| Texture | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Durable | Natural |
| Aging | 4 weeks to 21 months | 20 days to 3 months |
| Taste | Sweet to nutty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Morlacco Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Morlacco Cheese's fresh. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Morlacco Cheese at 20 days to 3 months.
Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Morlacco Cheese?
In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and Morlacco 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, artisan.
Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Morlacco 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, artisan profile, Morlacco Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gouda Cheese the same as Morlacco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Morlacco Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Morlacco Cheese 20 days to 3 months.
Is Gouda Cheese similar to Morlacco Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Morlacco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gouda Cheese taste like Morlacco Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Morlacco Cheese made of?
Morlacco Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or whole). It's typically aged 20 days to 3 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Morlacco 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 Morlacco Cheese is soft, artisan.