Gouda Cheese vs Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese

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

Provola dei Nebrodi is a DOP stretched-curd cheese from the Nebrodi mountains of Sicily, made with raw cow's milk and lamb or kid rennet. It is the only Sicilian provola that is aged, and wheels reach four or five kilograms (about 9 to 11 pounds).

What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

• Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's milk), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Cow's whole milk, sometimes with sheep's and/or goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Soft and compact)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Thin, straw-yellow to yellow-amber)
• Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (1 to 4 months)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese brings sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged character. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese leans toward warm milk, butter, fruit notes when fresh; savory and stronger when aged. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese at 1 to 4 months.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

Gouda Cheese can stand in for Provola dei Nebrodi 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 and compact. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese brings sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Provola dei Nebrodi 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 and compact profile, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese comes from Italy. Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk; Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese 1 to 4 months.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged.

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 Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese made of?

Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (raw), using farmhouse kid’s or lamb’s rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged 1 to 4 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Provola dei Nebrodi 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 Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is soft and compact.