Gouda Cheese vs Pérail Cheese

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Pérail Cheese is soft and made from sheep 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 Pérail Cheese?

Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.

What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Pérail Cheese?

• Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Pérail Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's milk), Pérail Cheese (sheep)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Pérail Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Pérail Cheese (wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum)
• Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Pérail Cheese (2 to 8 weeks)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Pérail Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses character. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Pérail Cheese at 2 to 8 weeks.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Pérail Cheese?

Gouda Cheese can stand in for Pérail 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Pérail 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, Pérail Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Pérail Cheese fits dishes calling for distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Pérail Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Pérail Cheese comes from France. Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk; Pérail Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Pérail Cheese 2 to 8 weeks.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Pérail Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Pérail Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Pérail Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Pérail Cheese is distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.

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 Pérail Cheese made of?

Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Pérail 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 Pérail Cheese is soft.