Leyden cheese

semi-hard · cow milk · Netherlands · $$

Melts decently, with a smooth texture.

Attribute scores

meltability 6/10

sharpness 5/10

creaminess 6/10

firmness 6/10

pungency 3/10

Best cheese wine pairing

Pair Leyden cheese with a medium-bodied red like Merlot, or an unoaked Chardonnay — a milder semi-hard cheese (sharpness 5) is best met halfway, not overpowered.

Substitutes for Leyden cheese

Cheese	Why it works
Tilsit cheese	similar overall, but more meltability
Tomme de Savoie	similar overall, but less sharpness
Herrgårdsost	similar overall, but less sharpness
Gouda	similar overall, but more meltability
Graviera	similar overall, but less creaminess
Emmental	similar overall, but more meltability