Edam Cheese vs Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese
Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese is slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, becomes firmer as moisture content decreases and made from goat milk.
What Is Edam Cheese?
Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is recognizable by its typically red or yellow wax coating. Made from partially skimmed cow's milk, it has a mild, slightly salty flavor and a firm but creamy texture. Edam ages well and does not spoil; instead, it hardens, which makes it an excellent cheese for long-term storage.
What Is Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
Hollandse Geitenkaas is a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands, made from goat's milk. It is produced in a manner similar to Gouda cheese and can be naturally ripened with a rind or foil-ripened without a rind. The cheese is known for its soft, mild, and clean taste, which becomes more intense as it ages. The ripening process takes at least 25 days, and the cheese can be aged for more than a year. It is made using pasteurized goat's milk from Dutch dairy goat holdings. The cheese can include herbs, spices, and vegetables for added flavor. Hollandse Geitenkaas is recognized for its high quality and has a strong national and international reputation.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
- Milk type: Edam Cheese (cow's milk), Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese (Goat's milk)
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese (Slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, becomes firmer as moisture content decreases)
- Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese (Firm, smooth, dry, and clean when naturally ripened; no hard rind when foil-ripened)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese (Minimum of 25 days, can be aged for more than one year)
- Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese (Soft, mild, and clean)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | — |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Rubber-textured to crystalline | Slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, becomes firmer as moisture content decreases |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | Firm, smooth, dry, and clean when naturally ripened; no hard rind when foil-ripened |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | Minimum of 25 days, can be aged for more than one year |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | Soft, mild, and clean |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Edam Cheese and Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese
Edam Cheese
Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese brings soft, mild, and clean character. More specifically, Edam Cheese shows sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities, while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese leans toward becomes stronger/more intense as the cheese ripens. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese at minimum of 25 days, can be aged for more than one year.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
Edam Cheese can stand in for Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect rubber-textured to crystalline bite and body where the recipe calls for slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, becomes firmer as moisture content decreases. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese brings soft, mild, and clean notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a rubber-textured to crystalline cheese, go with Edam Cheese. For a slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, becomes firmer as moisture content decreases profile, Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese fits dishes calling for soft, mild, and clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Edam Cheese is made from cow milk; Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese minimum of 25 days, can be aged for more than one year.
Is Edam Cheese similar to Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Edam Cheese taste like Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese is soft, mild, and clean.
What is Edam Cheese made of?
Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.
What is Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese made of?
Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese is made from goat milk (pasteurized), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 25 days, can be aged for more than one year.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese is slightly soft to pliable at four weeks, becomes firmer as moisture content decreases.
See full profiles: Edam Cheese and Hollandse geitenkaas Cheese.