Differences between Edam Cheese and Gouda Cheese

Edam vs. Gouda

Edam and Gouda are semi-hard Dutch cheeses made from cow's milk. Both cheeses originate from the Netherlands, with Edam named after the town of Edam in North Holland and Gouda named after the city of Gouda in South Holland, where it was traditionally traded. While both are popular worldwide, they possess distinct differences in flavor, texture, and appearance.

Comparison Table

Category	Edam	Gouda
Origin	Edam, North Holland, Netherlands	Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands
Milk Type	Typically made from part-skimmed cow's milk	Made from whole cow's milk
Fat Content	Lower, around 40%	Higher, around 48%
Flavor	Mild, nutty, and slightly salty when young, sharpens with age	Ranges from mild and creamy when young to rich, sweet, and caramel-like when aged
Texture	Firmer, drier, and more rubbery when young; becomes crumblier with age	Softer and creamier when young; becomes harder and develops crystals when aged
Appearance	Traditionally a sphere with a red paraffin wax coating	A flattened wheel, typically with a yellow wax coating, though red is also used
Aging	Typically aged for a few weeks to a few months	Aging ranges from four weeks to over a year
Best Uses	Slicing for sandwiches, snacking with fruits	Melting in cooked dishes, grating, and on cheese boards

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Edam Cheese and Gouda Cheese

Production and Aging

The production processes for Edam and Gouda are similar, involving the coagulation of milk, cutting the curd, and pressing it into molds. A key difference lies in the treatment of the curds. In Gouda production, the curds are "washed" with hot water, which removes some of the lactose. This results in a sweeter cheese as there is less sugar to be converted into lactic acid during aging.

Edam is typically aged for a shorter period, from a few weeks to several months, resulting in a milder flavor. Gouda has a wider range of aging categories, from four weeks for a young cheese to over a year for a very old cheese. As Gouda ages, its flavor deepens, becoming more complex and sweet, and its texture becomes firmer, often with crunchy cheese crystals.

Flavor and Texture

Young Edam has a smooth, firm texture and a mild, nutty, and slightly salty flavor. As it ages, it becomes harder and its flavor sharpens. Gouda, being made from whole milk, has a higher fat content which contributes to a creamier, more buttery texture when young. The flavor of young Gouda is mild and sweet, while aged Gouda develops a rich, caramel-like sweetness and a crumbly, crystalline texture.

Appearance and Rind

Traditionally, Edam is known for its spherical shape and is often coated in red paraffin wax. Gouda is typically produced in a flattened wheel shape and is most commonly coated in yellow wax, although other colors are also used. The wax rind helps to protect the cheese and prevent it from drying out during storage and transport.