Gouda cheese varies in taste and is best chosen based on personal preference and what it will be served with. Aged Gouda is richer in flavor and better for cooking, while younger Gouda is good for snacking and serving with beer. Gouda can be made from cow, sheep, or goat milk and comes in different colors. Trying different types is recommended to find favorites.
When choosing the best Gouda cheese, it’s important to remember that people have different preferences between varieties. Trying different types of this cheese should help you find the ones you’ll like the most. The different ages of this cheese tend to suit specific foods and drinks more than others, so picking the best one will also depend on what you’re serving with it. In general, however, the more Gouda is aged, the better it is considered.
You’ll be more likely to pay more for more aged cheese. The aging process creates a richer flavor, but the product has to be stored longer by dairies. The length of time the best Gouda should be aged is debatable. Some people say cheese should be aged for at least a year and a half, while others believe six months is enough to produce quality Gouda.
Long-aged Gouda cheese is ideal for cooking, for example to add rice and casseroles or cooked vegetables, because the texture that the aging process creates also offers more taste and a softness in the mouth. Younger Goudas are generally considered an excellent choice to serve alongside beer. Goudas made with less aging time are also suitable for cracker snacks or in lunch sandwiches. For grainy or heavy breads, however, aged Gouda is best, as it will impart a richer flavor to better complement heartier dishes. If you’ll be serving cheese and wine, a longer type is also a better choice.
You may need to try an assortment of Goudas before you find your favorites. You might seek out the cheese at a delicatessen or other store that will let you sample small samples of different varieties. Not all Gouda producers use a wax wrap, although Gouda cheese wrapped in red wax is classic. Goudas range from pale gold to deep yellow-brown; some types are even slightly pink or peachy in tone. Many Goudas are sold in rounds or wheels as well as smaller packages.
Gouda cheese can be made from cow, sheep or goat milk. Cow’s milk goudas are popular and typically less expensive than the other types. If you buy Goudas from smaller producers, you’ll likely pay more for any variety. For cow’s milk varieties, look for a light, even color. After trying a few different Goudas, you’ll likely discover your favorites for snacking, dining, cooking, and entertaining.
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