Gouda Cheese vs Old Ford Cheese

Q: Is Gouda Cheese the same as Old Ford Cheese?

No. Gouda Cheese and Old Ford Cheese are distinct cheeses from Netherlands and England, Great Britain and United Kingdom respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Gouda Cheese for Old Ford Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

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 Old Ford Cheese?

Old Ford is an artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Timsbury, Somerset, England. It has a semi-hard texture, making it a sturdy cheese with a satisfying bite. The flavor profile of Old Ford is a mix of buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, and savory notes, providing a refreshing yet rich taste experience. Its aroma carries barnyardy, floral, and goaty scents, adding to its rustic charm. The cheese is ivory in color, with a natural rind that adds character to its appearance. Suitable for cheese boards or paired with light wines, Old Ford is a versatile choice for various culinary applications.

What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Old Ford Cheese?

Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Old Ford Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's milk), Old Ford Cheese (goat's milk)
Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Old Ford Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Old Ford Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Old Ford Cheese (natural)
Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Old Ford Cheese (buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Gouda Cheese	Old Ford Cheese
Country of Origin	Netherlands	England, Great Britain And United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Southern Holland	Timsbury, Somerset
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged	Semi-hard, artisan
Rind	Durable	Natural
Aging	4 weeks to 21 months	—
Taste	Sweet to nutty	Buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Old Ford Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Old Ford Cheese brings buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Old Ford Cheese's barnyardy, floral, goaty.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

Gouda Cheese can stand in for Old Ford Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Old Ford Cheese brings buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Old Ford 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 semi-hard, artisan profile, Old Ford Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Old Ford Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Old Ford Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Old Ford Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk; Old Ford Cheese uses goat.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Old Ford Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Old Ford Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Old Ford Cheese is buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Old Ford Cheese is closer to barnyardy, floral, goaty.

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 Old Ford Cheese made of?

Old Ford Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Old Ford 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 Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.