Edam Cheese vs Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese
Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' and made from cow 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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Noord-Hollandse Gouda is a type of Gouda cheese that originates from the Netherlands. It is specifically produced in the province of North Holland. This cheese is recognized as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, ensuring its unique qualities and traditional production methods are preserved. Noord-Hollandse Gouda is made from cow's milk and is known for its aromatic and pleasant taste, which can range from mild to sharp depending on its age. The cheese has a flattened cylindrical or block shape and is less salty than other Gouda varieties. It is naturally ripened for a minimum of four weeks to over 18 months. The cheese's rind is smooth, closed, and yellow, treated only with uncolored or yellow-colored products.
What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
- Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product')
- Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Closed, smooth, yellow, no visible mold growth)
- Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months)
- Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Edam Cheese | Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | — |
| Specific Origin | North Of Holland | North Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Rubber-textured to crystalline | Pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' |
| Rind | Smooth, waxed | Closed, smooth, yellow, no visible mold growth |
| Aging | 3 months to longer | Minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months |
| Taste | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery | Aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp |
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Where to buy Edam Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese
Edam Cheese
Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp 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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese leans toward less salty than other gouda cheeses, cumin may be added. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
In most recipes, Edam Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect rubber-textured to crystalline bite and body where the recipe calls for pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product'. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp notes.
Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Noord-Hollandse Gouda 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 pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' profile, Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edam Cheese the same as Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Edam Cheese is typically aged 3 months to longer, Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Is Edam Cheese similar to Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Edam Cheese taste like Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp.
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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese made of?
Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using calf or microbial rennet, no genetically modified organisms used rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product'.
See full profiles: Edam Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese.