All you need to know about Gouda cheese

A lot of people do not know about Gouda cheese. Gouda basically is a Dutch variety of cheese that is attained from the milk of the cow. The cheese is largely yellow in color and is called so after a city in Netherlands. The texture of Gouda is semi hard however on the surface it is smooth and rich in flavor and taste. Most popular varieties of Gouda cheese are made using the milk that is attained from sheep or goats. Over the years, it indeed is giving tough competition to mozzarella cheese and is a good alternative in a variety of cheese recipes.

Types of Gouda cheese

1. There are a number of different varieties of Gouda cheese.
   
2. One of which is Boerenkaas. This is a traditional variety of Gouda cheese and is prepared from the unpasteurized milk of the cow.
   
3. Another variety in Gouda cheese is Overjarig. It has a salty taste and is rather full flavored and hard in texture.
   
4. Apart from these two, there are several different varieties of Gouda cheese.
   
5. Some of these are Oud, Extra Belegen, Jong Belegen, Belegen, etc.
   
6.  You can easily spot young Gouda cheese courtesy its color that is a blend of orange and yellow with red wax rinds.
   
7. On the other hand, the mature form of Gouda cheese has a black wax covering.
   
8.  The younger varieties of Gouda cheese are aged for a span of about 1 to 6 months. 
   
9.  When this younger processed cheese is matured it attains a rather pungent smell and a hard texture.
   

Facts about Gouda cheese

1. Gouda is available in large wheels that usually weigh between 10 to 25 pounds.
   
2.  Gouda is one variety of cheese that is known for its phenomenal nutritional value. It is rich in a number of nutrients such as protein, calcium and phosphorous.
   
3. It has low sugar content.

Uses of Gouda cheese

1. Gouda cheese is known to cater to a range of purposes. Firstly, this variety of cheese goes best with beer.
   
2. On the other hand, the matured version of the Gouda cheese well complements the rich flavor of wines.
   
3. In the supermarket, Gouda cheese can be availed in different forms such as grated, shredded, sliced or cubed.
   
4. Gouda can also be used as a table cheese.
   
5. Many even use Gouda cheese as a dessert cheese.
   

So bring home some Gouda cheese and relish its delightful taste.