Gouda Cheese vs Roumy Cheese

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

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 Roumy Cheese?

Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.

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

• Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Roumy Cheese (hard)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Roumy Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Roumy Cheese?

Gouda Cheese can stand in for Roumy 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Roumy 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 hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Roumy Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Roumy Cheese is closer 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 Roumy Cheese made of?

Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese is hard.