Gouda Cheese vs Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese
Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged 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 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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Noord-Hollandse Gouda is a cow's milk Gouda from North Holland and one of three Dutch Goudas with EU protected status. It is made only in the Netherlands, from milk of Dutch cows, and ranges from mild and elastic at four weeks to hard and sharp past a year.
What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product')
- Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Closed, smooth, yellow, no visible mold growth)
- Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months)
- Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese (Aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gouda Cheese | Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | — |
| Specific Origin | Southern Holland | North Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged | Pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' |
| Rind | Durable | Closed, smooth, yellow, no visible mold growth |
| Aging | 4 weeks to 21 months | Minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months |
| Taste | Sweet to nutty | Aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp |
Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp character. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese leans toward less salty than other gouda cheeses, cumin may be added. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged bite and body where the recipe calls for pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product'. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese brings aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp notes.
Which Is Better, Gouda 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 solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cheese, go with Gouda Cheese. For a pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product' profile, Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese fits dishes calling for aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gouda Cheese the same as Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese minimum of 4 weeks to over 18 months.
Is Gouda Cheese similar to Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gouda Cheese taste like Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is aromatic, pleasant, mild to sharp.
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 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, Gouda Cheese or Noord-Hollandse Gouda 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 Noord-Hollandse Gouda Cheese is pliable, fills the borer, termed a 'soft dairy product'.