Cheese Pairings

Gouda

Gouda, also known as Goudam cheese, originated from the Dutch city of Gouda where it got its name. It is one of the oldest and most popular cheeses in the world, semi-hard, with a crumbly texture and creamy flavour. Its flavour comprises of nutty and sweet notes, giving off a pungent aroma. Gouda is typically made from pasteurised cow’s milk. However, other ageing varieties are also made from sheep and goat’s milk. The older the cheese, the firmer the texture and the richer the flavour. The colour of the wax rind also changes from yellow, orange, or red for the younger cheeses to black for the mature cheeses.

Pairing

Gouda is a versatile kind of cheese that can be served as both a table cheese and dessert cheese. If you’re looking for a savoury pairing, add mango chutney, crackers, and salami to your charcuterie board with Gouda. You can also devour it melted on a burger or sandwich. If you’re looking for a sweeter pairing, you may go for chocolate or fruit. Young Goudas would be best paired with apples, pears, and apricots whilst the more mature Goudas would be best paired with cherries, peaches, and melon.

If you want to pair more different cheeses with the Gouda, don’t be shy. Gouda makes an exquisite pairing with cheddar, parmesan, goat cheese and cream cheese. Accompany the selection with sourdough, white bread, a baguette, or pretzels.

For beverages, Gouda goes very well with a pint of beer. Opt for a light style of beer, especially with the younger Goudas, whereas with the mature Goudas, you can take things up a notch and pair it with a malty doppelbock or a stout beer. In a more formal setting, pair the cheese with a glass of wine. Again, go for light-bodied white wines for the younger Goudas, such as Riesling or unoaked Chardonnay, but for the mature Gouda, go big on flavour and serve with a Merlot or a Shiraz.

A wide variety of quality ingredients are available from Arkadia supermarkets in Malta and Gozo, including Arkadia FoodExpress Swatar and Arkadia Food Market Valletta.

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