Gouda Cheese vs Vlašić Cheese

Q: Is Gouda Cheese the same as Vlašić Cheese?

No. Gouda Cheese and Vlašić Cheese are distinct cheeses from Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Vlašić 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 Vlašić Cheese is solid, spreadable and made from sheep milk, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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 Vlašić Cheese?

Vlašić, also sold as Travnik cheese, is a white brined cheese from the Vlašić mountain above Travnik in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Traditionally made from sheep milk, it ripens in brine and comes out mostly dry and quite salty.

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

Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Vlašić Cheese (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's milk), Vlašić Cheese (Ewe’s milk)
Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Vlašić Cheese (Strained)
Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Vlašić Cheese (Solid, spreadable)
Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Vlašić Cheese (Minimum 60 days)
Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Vlašić Cheese (Milky sour, moderately salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Gouda Cheese	Vlašić Cheese
Country of Origin	Netherlands	Bosnia And Herzegovina
Specific Origin	Southern Holland	Vlašić Mountain
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Ewe’s milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Strained
Texture	Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged	Solid, spreadable
Rind	Durable	—
Aging	4 weeks to 21 months	Minimum 60 days
Taste	Sweet to nutty	Milky sour, moderately salty

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Vlašić Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Vlašić Cheese brings milky sour, moderately salty character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Vlašić Cheese's pleasant, of sheep’s milk. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Vlašić Cheese leans toward pleasant without foreign material, milky sour, and moderately salty taste. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Vlašić Cheese at minimum 60 days.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?

Gouda Cheese can stand in for Vlašić 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 solid, spreadable. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Vlašić Cheese brings milky sour, moderately salty notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Vlašić 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 solid, spreadable profile, Vlašić Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Vlašić Cheese fits dishes calling for milky sour, moderately salty.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Vlašić Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Vlašić Cheese comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk; Vlašić Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Vlašić Cheese minimum 60 days.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Vlašić Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?

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

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Vlašić Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Vlašić Cheese is milky sour, moderately salty. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Vlašić Cheese is closer to pleasant, of sheep’s milk.

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 Vlašić Cheese made of?

Vlašić Cheese is made from sheep milk (strained), using local natural calf rennet. It's typically aged minimum 60 days. It originates in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Vlašić 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 Vlašić Cheese is solid, spreadable.