Gouda

Gouda is one of the most famous and popular cheeses in the world, a classic Dutch semi-hard cow's-milk cheese. It took its name from the town of Gouda in the Netherlands, where great cheese markets were long held.

Gouda is made in characteristic round wheels with a smooth waxed rind and aged from a few weeks to several years. Young gouda is soft, tender, creamy, with a delicate sweetish taste; it melts well, so it is often used for sandwiches and hot dishes. With age the cheese hardens, becomes crumbly, and acquires a rich, deep nutty-caramel taste with crunchy crystals, similar to parmesan. Versatile, tasty, and accessible, gouda suits both sandwiches and a cheese board with wine or fruit. This cheese is the pride of the Dutch dairy tradition that has conquered the whole world.