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This post is a part of my What is ____ Cheese Series? featuring | Muenster | Brick | Gouda | Colby

The wonderful world of cheese. It’s a rather big world. You can spend a lifetime trying different types of cheese and a fun lifetime it would be. It’s amazing what you can do by just starting with milk. My mission is to help you better understand some of them, so you can better know how to select them and use them. Today, we are looking at that favorite Dutch cheese, Gouda!

Origin of Gouda
Like many cheeses (such as Colby), Gouda is named after it’s place of origin, Gouda, Netherlands. This town has been a cheese center for quite a while. A weighing house, a place where one brings their cheese to be weighed, was built way back in 1668. This building has been restored and still stands to this day. Most of the cheese that is produced in Holland today is Gouda. If you can find Gouda labeled Noord-Hollandse Gouda, then you know you are getting Gouda from southern Holland.

How is it Made?
Gouda is made by a process of washing the curd. Here is what takes place
1) Some of the whey is drained
2) It is replaced by warm water
3) Then drained again
4) More water is added
5) Water is heated, which will help expel moisture from inside the curd
6) The cheese is pressed for hours, even days (giving the cheese it’s flat round shape)
7) The cheese is aged on average from as little as 1 month up to 3 years.

The purpose of washing the curd is to reduce the amount of lactose in the cheese. Lactose is the naturally occurring milk sugars.

What Does Gouda Taste Like?
Never had Gouda before? Well it has a sort of sweet, slight fruity taste that increases with age. The cheese become harder and more brittle. It’s a creamy cheese, a lot more so than cheddar. The best Goudas will also be the creamiest. Cheesemakers like to add spices to the milder young Goudas. Some popular choices are cumin and caraway. You can also find smoked Goudas at most supermarkets.

Black Wax vs. Red Wax
Often you will see Gouda come in either a black wax or a red wax. These colors can be used as a guide. The red wax Gouda tends to be the younger Gouda, aged around 6 months or so. While the black wax Gouda is older, usually aged from 12-18 months.

What to Use Gouda For?
Gouda is a great melting cheese. I like to combine some with cheddar for mac & cheese. It works well on any cheese board. I sampled some recently along with some relatively mild cheeses and it went really well. I also have heard that it works well in cheese soups. Emeril Lagasse has a recipe online for smoked gouda mashed potatoes. Alton Brown recommends using Gouda for grilled cheese sandwiches and in fondue.

My Favorite Gouda – Beemster Graskaas
The best tasting Gouda I have ever eaten is Beemster Graskass. This Gouda comes directly from Northern Holland. The unique thing about this cheese is the milk that is used for it. The milk is from the first milking of the spring, when the cows are released to graze the fields for the first time since before winter. This produces a cheese that is extremely creamy and delicious. I used 4 ounces of this cheese along with 4 oz of sharp cheddar to make the best macaroni & cheese I have ever made.

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Price: $5.99/10 oz package
Strength: Sharp
Purchased At: Meijer (Ann Arbor, MI)
Would Buy Again: Yes

Probably when most people are asked to name a brand of cheese, you will hear words like Kraft, Velveeta, or Laughing Cow rolling off their tongues. If I was asked the same thing one of the brands I would say is Maple Leaf. They are a cheese company out of Monroe, Wisconsin. I have written about some of their other cheeses in the past (cheese curds, Irish Harp cheddar). The latest cheese of theirs is a 2008 World Champion cheddar (it would be fun to judge one of those contests), Maple Leaf English Hollow. This cheddar is made in small batches by hand and has a rind formed around it. It’s made in the English style of making cheddar. The name of this cheese was inspired by the area in which Maple Leaf is located. The area was once dominated by English immigrant dairy farmers. It was a specialty featured cheese at my local Mejier store.

I can taste why this became a world champion. It’s a cheese with a great texture. It’s sharp, but not in a obnoxious way like inferior sharp cheddars. It’s only sharp in a pleasant way. This cheese made for an outstanding mac & cheese, one of the best ones that I made using solely cheddar. This cheese could also stand it’s own on any cheese board.

Continue reading »]]> Price: $4.99/lb
Strength: Mild
Purchased At: Holiday Market (Canton, MI)
Would Buy Again: Yes

Back in the spring time of 2010, my family and I made a trip to Madison, Wisconsin. One of the sites I wanted to see was Fromagination, a cheese shop located near the capital in Madison. It was one of the best cheese shops I had ever been in. We bought some cheese to eat there right on the spot. We wanted some that was truly Wisconsin, so we select a Colby cheese made by Widmer’s. We found some seating just outside the shop and went to work on a deliciously cheese with an amazing texture. I thought so this is what Colby cheese is suppose to taste like.

Ever since that day I have been searching around my area to find a Colby that could match up to that experience. But that day never seemed like it was going to come. Until I was doing some shopping at Holiday Market in Canton, Michigan. To my surprise, there were two blocks of Widmer’s Colby cheese in their cheese case. I was overjoyed to find it. It was the feeling you get when you find someone around your house that you have been missing for months. I couldn’t wait to get home, and slice up some of these goodness. Again my taste buds were brought back to that warm May day in Wisconsin. I made it back to Holiday Market last month, and purchased 4 more packages. I hope they keep this cheese always in stock!

The people that make this cheese (Widmer’s) has been in the cheese making business since 1922. The company is run by Joe Widmer who is 3rd generation cheesemaker. It is located in Theresa, WI. You can visit their website for more information.

Continue reading »]]> Back at the start of this year, I discovered Guggisberg Baby Swiss. They are the ones who invented the cheese and by far are make the most superior baby swiss that I have tasted. I was sad when my source stopped carrying it a few months ago. However recently I was shopping at Vince and Joe’s Gourmet Market in Clinton Township, when I discovered another cheese (a farmers cheese) barring the Guggisberg name. I almost missed it because it didn’t have their logo on it, it was a chunk cut from a wheel. I was really excited to see and made sure to snatch it right up. I went home eagerly anticipating tasting the cheese. I have had a couple farmers cheese before and I wasn’t really impressed with them. So I was hoping that Guissberg could turn that around.

I certainly was not let down. Once again Guggisberg as made a cheese superior to another other of that type on the market. The cheese has a nice soft texture with a very pleasant but not overbearing tang to it. I was sad when the chunk was all gone (it didn’t take long to make that disappear). I look forward to going back and buying more of this cheese.

Can’t find Guggisberg Farmers cheese in your grocery store? You can order it online from their website.

Check out my review of Guggisberg Baby Swiss.

Continue reading »]]> One of the difficult things about identifying cheeses is that the same name can represent a different cheese in various regions. Today I wanted to talk about farmers cheese. So when I talk about this cheese, I am referring to the farmers cheese that I purchase here in the midwest region of the United States. This cheese is a soft, white cheese. No coloring is added. The cheese is not aged, it is ready to eat when finished. Famers cheese is similar to cottage cheese. The process to make it starts out the same, but as where the whey is keep in traditional cottage cheee making, the whey is discarded for farmers cheese, creating a solid block of cheese. Just as cottage cheese is mild so is farmers cheese. But just as with cottage cheese, farmers cheese can have some tanginess to it. The among of tang depends on the maker.

Farmers cheese is a good straight up eating cheese. It’s nice on a cracker. It’s a good choice for kids because it’s soft and not too strong. I don’t think it’s a good cooking cheese as you want something with a little more punch.

As for the shelf life, I would eat it pretty quickly after you buy it. It’s not going to last as long as an aged cheese. The cheese can be found in most grocery stores. You typically find it in the specialty cheese section, not with the standard 8 oz factory produced bar cheeses, although some companies do make a standard 8 oz farmers cheese, but it’s not all that common.

My favorite farmers cheese is made by Guggisberg. Check out my review of their cheese.

Continue reading »]]> Type: Cheddar
Price: $5.99/10 oz package
Strength: Mild
Purchased At: Meijer (Port Huron, MI)
Would Buy Again: Yes

When it comes to selecting some type of cheese for a quick easy snack, I lean towards cheese curds. These irreguarly shaped curds are easy to pop in your mouth and enjoy. They work great for trips or picnics. I bought some Maple Leaf Cheese Curds from Meijer in Port Huron, MI to take to a picnic on Lake Huron. These white curds have a great flavor and texture that just melted in your mouth. Their flavor is strong enough without being overpowering. A great choice to go with any lunch.

Maple Leaf Cheese began as a cooperative in 1910 in Monroe, Wisconsin. Second and third generation cheesemakers are still turning out quality products. I had reviewed their delicious, award winning Monterey Jack earlier this year.

For more information on their cheeses, visit their website.

Continue reading »]]> Type: Cheddar
Price: $5.99/a bar
Strength: Medium
Purchased At: Busch’s (Saline, MI)
Would Buy Again: Yes

A lot of grocery stores like to promote products made in the state the store resides in. People get excited about eating or drinking something that was made nearby. I think a lot of it has to go with supporting your state’s economy. And another part of it is state pride! One certain Michigan made product made it’s way into my grocery cart on a recent shopping trip to Busch’s – Farm Country Cheese House’s Raw Milk Cheddar. Their cheese comes in a long block, perfect for slicing into the perfect cracker size slices.

I am a fan of raw milk cheddar. For all about raw milk cheese, check out this earlier post. Not only was this cheddar made from milk that wasn’t pasteurized, this milk is also collected from the cows of Amish farmers. They make sure that each cow is hand milked, never given any antibiotics, and eats a grass diet. The result is a delicious cheddar that packs a lot of flavor. As for the sharpness of this cheese, I say it falls somewhere in the middle, it’s not too mild, not too sharp either, a great snacking cheddar.

For more about Farm Country cheeses, you can visit their website. They are located in Lakeview, Michigan just 50 miles to the northeast of Grand Rapids.

Continue reading »]]> Type: Bel Paese
Price: $13.99 / lb
Strength: Mild
Purchased At: Holiday Market (in Canton, Michigan)
Would Buy Again: Maybe, at a cheaper price

When it comes to eating cheese, I usually like to stay on the mild side. So I am always on the lookout for new mild cheeses to try. When I was reading Laura Werlin’s Cheese Essentials I saw Bel Paese cheese on a list of mild cheeses. I had not heard of this cheese before and wanted to give it a try. But I found it difficult to find. Finally earlier this week I was at looking at the international cheeses at Holiday Market in Canton, Michigan, and I found it. It was priced higher than I would have liked, so I ended up grabbing the smallest sample I could.

Bel Paese is a semi-soft cheese that originated in Italy. It was created by a man named Egidio Galbani. He was looking to produce a mild cheese to sell in Italy. This is a very creamy cheese made from cow’s milk. It takes two months or less to mature. As for uses it’s a great snack cheese to eat along some fruit. I found it to be a nice compliment to the Red Leicester I was serving on a cheese plate. The creamy, smooth texture and mild taste went well with the more bold, crumbly texture of Red Leicester. I also heard that people use it as they would mozzarella.

Galbani cheese makes and imports Bel Paese but is more known in the US for their fresh mozzarella and mascarpone. These are the only cheeses mentioned on their American website.

Continue reading »]]> Type: Baby Swiss
Price: $3.99 / lb
Strength: Mild
Purchased At: Trader Joe’s (in Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Would Buy Again: Yes

In the past I use to shy away from any cheese with the word swiss in it. Until I discovered baby swiss, which is a more gentle version of traditional swiss. Last week, I was looking for some cheese to go along with some homemade crackers I was bringing to a church gathering. I decided to stop into Trader Joe’s as they have cheeses that are cheap in price but not in flavor. I picked up their raw milk cheddar and decided to give their baby swiss a try. I felt the contrast in flavors of the two cheeses would work well.

Trader Joe’s Baby Swiss is probably the most mild of all the baby swiss I have had. But that isn’t a bad thing. I liked this cheese. It’s not as good as the baby swiss made by the company that invented it Guggisberg, but it’s a nice alternative and the best one not labeled Guggisberg.

Continue reading »]]> This week is St. Patrick’s Day. A day dedicated to everything Irish. It’s one of the best culinary days of the year. Cooks and food lovers get to explore some of the great tastes of Ireland. The best of those great tastes has to be the cheese. Really is there any better food than cheese? Below I provide a guide to Irish cheese. By no means is this a complete guide, it’s just the cheeses that Irish cheese I have encountered. If you are interested in the history of Irsh dairy, check out this resource.

Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese | Click here for more info

Named after the largest city in Ireland, this aged cheese has a strong flavor with a touch of sweetness. The texture of the cheese is similar to cheddar. Although it does not melt as good as cheddar, so I would say it for straight up eating, along with a nice plate of fruit.
Where to Buy: A couple local stores, Produce Station and Busch’s carry the cheese. On a nation level, I found it at Trader Joe’s selling for $6.49/lb any time of year.

Kerrygold Blarney Castle Cheese | Click here for more info

This one is named after one of the most well known castles in the world, Blarney Castle. The cheese is very much like a young gouda. It has a creamy, smooth texture. It’s a great choice for a fruit and cheese platter.
Where to Buy: Busch’s with several stores in Southeastern Lower Michigan has it on sale around St. Patrick’s Day each year. I don’t know of any national chain that sells it.

Kerrygold Kilaree Cheddar Cheese | Click here for more info

This cheddar has been aged for a minium of 15 months. It’s sharp with a bit of sourness to it. It is recommended to enjoy along side a corned beef sandwich. As for the name “Kilaree” that is a mystery I am still trying to figure out. I believe it’s describing a geographical location.
Where to Buy: Last year, I bought some on sale at Whole Foods Market. They are again carrying it this year.

Tipperary Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
This really, really sharp cheddar has been aged for at least 12 months. It is a rich yellow color and has a creamy texture. Great to use as a melting cheese, maybe even a fondue.
Where to Buy: I just found this cheese for the first time. I purchased it at Western Market in Ferndale, MI.

Maple Leaf Irish Harp Cheddar Cheese
This is a two-toned cheddar, wrapped in green wax. It looks like the Irish flag in cheese form! I plan to serve it along side my St. Patrick’s Day meal. It has a smooth and firm texture.
Where to Buy: You can find this cheese year round at Meijer stores. It’s been on sale all the month of March. You can also purchase it online at this website. Right now they are selling it for just a penny as long as you buy 15 additional dollars worth of cheese (this offer last until the end of March).