Maasdam Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Maasdam Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Maasdam Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
What Is Maasdam Cheese?
Maasdam is a Dutch cheese made in the style of Swiss Emmental, aged at least four weeks and marked by holes that form as it ripens. It tastes nutty and sweet, and it is softer than Emmental because it holds more moisture.
What Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Maasdam Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Maasdam Cheese (Netherlands), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Maasdam Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Maasdam Cheese (pasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Maasdam Cheese (semi-hard), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Maasdam Cheese (smooth, sometimes waxed), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Maasdam Cheese (at least 4 weeks), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Maasdam Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | France |
| Specific Origin | The Netherlands | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Smooth, sometimes waxed | Gray-blue |
| Aging | At least 4 weeks | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Maasdam Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Maasdam Cheese at at least 4 weeks develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Maasdam Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Maasdam Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Maasdam Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Maasdam Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maasdam Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Maasdam Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Maasdam Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Maasdam Cheese is typically aged at least 4 weeks, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Maasdam Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Maasdam Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Maasdam Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Maasdam Cheese made of?
Maasdam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged at least 4 weeks. It originates in Netherlands.
What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Maasdam Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maasdam Cheese is semi-hard, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.