- Written By: Sara Schmidt
- Edited By: Andrew Jones
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Aged Gouda is a flavorful, pale orange cheese made from cow's milk. After the sweet and salty cheese ages for several years, it develops a slight butterscotch-like flavor. It is an ideal cheese to enjoy with wine, particularly when paired with red varieties.
Though traditionally named after the city with the same name in the Netherlands, aged Gouda can be found all over the world. Like other types of Gouda cheeses, it is made by separating curds and whey through a heating process. Gouda cheeses are circular and simple to slice. Aged Gouda is typically sliced into wedges for eating.
Like other Gouda varieties, aged Gouda gets its color from the addition of the coloring agent known as annato. As Gouda cheese ages, it forms calcium lactate crystals. These are byproducts of the lactic acid from the cheese, and are fine to eat. The crystallization provides the cheese with a pleasant crunch that many other cheeses do not feature.
While aged Gouda cheese can be served with other foods, such as fruits and nuts, many cheese aficionados prefer that it be served alone. This is especially the case when the cheese has aged longer, such as five-year aged cheese. The flavor may be so strong that other foods would simply pale in comparison. The older the cheese, the more caramel flavor it will develop.
Gouda cheese that is aged is often compared to Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in terms of its texture. It is considered a hard cheese that goes well with beer. In addition to red wines, vintage Gouda is also tasty when served with some white wines and any fruity wine or beverage.
Sometimes referred to as vintage Gouda, aged Gouda is usually readily available wherever other cheeses are sold. Specialty cheese shops typically carry the product, as do online cheese sellers. Some grocery stores may also sell aged varieties of Gouda cheese. Like other aged round cheeses, aged Gouda cheese may be sold in a natural-colored rind that mimics the shade of the cheese. When purchasing the cheese, asking for a sample, if available, prior to buying can be helpful when determining the flavor and quality of the cheese.
Refrigeration is generally not needed to store uneaten portions of Gouda cheese. If preferred, however, the cheese can be stored in its original rind in the refrigerator. An airtight container is recommended for storing opened cheese in order to preserve its freshness.
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honeybees
Post 6 |
Strong cheeses are my favorites and I find many of the others to taste kind of bland after eating cheeses like aged Gouda.
I even like to make my own macaroni and cheese with a combination of smoked Gouda and Parmesan cheese. This would also taste good with regular Gouda cheese, but the smoked flavor is really delicious.
Many of your larger grocery stores will have a specialty cheese section where you can find different cheeses like Gouda. If you aren't able to find it locally, I have also had good results ordering it online.
Many places will offer samples which gives you a chance to try the cheese before buying or before purchasing a larger quantity of it. |
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Monika
Post 5 |
Wow, aged gouda originated in a city in the Netherlands? How interesting. I don't know why but I always assume all fancy cheese is French! I suppose other European countries can make fancy cheese just as well as the French can though. |
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ceilingcat
Post 4 |
@JessicaLynn - I'm the complete opposite. I think the flavor of aged gouda is strong enough to overpower a salad and most other flavors, so I would never top a salad with aged gouda. However, I happen to love the flavor so, I usually just eat gouda on it's own.
For me, the main problem is the expense. I'm not wealthy, and aged cheese tends to be much more expensive than regular cheese. The only time I buy aged gouda is if I have extra money, or if I really want to treat myself. |
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andee
Post 3 |
@John57 - Aged Gouda is one of those cheeses where you know right away if you like it or not.
Have you ever tried it in a soup recipe?
I make a ham and cheese soup that includes both Cheddar and Gouda cheese. It does have twice as much of the Cheddar cheese as the Gouda, so the taste of the Gouda is not overpowering.
I find that it brings a distinct sharpness and flavor to the soup that isn't there if I only use the Cheddar cheese.
This is a very rich and filling soup that includes, carrots, celery, onion, ham and bacon. On cold winter days a pot of this soup does not last very long at my house. |
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JessicaLynn
Post 2 |
I guess I'm just not a cheese aficionado, because I prefer my aged gouda on a salad or something. I like the flavor ok, but not enough to just eat it one it's own.
However, I think it tastes delicious in a salad topped with some vinaigrette. If I'm feeling really classy, maybe I'll drink a glass of wine while eating my salad with aged gouda!
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John57
Post 1 |
I love most kinds of cheese, but aged Gouda cheese is usually too strong for my taste.
My son lives in Wisconsin, and they are known for many different kinds of cheese. Most times when we visit him, we will make a stop at a place that sells a variety of cheeses.
For someone who had not had anything other than cheddar, American or Swiss, I had to acquire a taste for some of the unique cheeses.
Some I liked right away, while others had to grow on me a little bit. No matter if I had the aged Gouda by itself or tried it with some other kind of food or drink, I was never able to enjoy the taste of it. |
