Gouda Cheese vs Soft Cheese

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.

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 Soft Cheese?

Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.

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

• Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
• Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Soft Cheese (mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Soft Cheese?

Gouda Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Soft Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Soft Cheese is mild.

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 Soft Cheese made of?

Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Soft 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 Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.