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Gouda Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Gouda
Gouda is semi-hard/hard cheese and is known for its creamy texture with a hint of a nutty flavor. It is a dense cheese and has a springy texture. Gouda can be paired with crackers, bread, or sweet fruits like apples, pears, or peaches and is delicious in a fondue or on a sandwich.
Gouda has been produced throughout the Netherlands since the twelfth century and is a very popular cheese. Although Gouda cheese did not originate in Gouda, Netherlands, the city was one of the few places where cheese producers and merchants could purchase and sell during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Farmers throughout the Netherlands made their cheese and brought it to market, a tradition that continues to this day. Today, Gouda cheese is produced in several countries and accounts for about half of the world's cheese consumption. Â
Gouda is made from cow's milk. Hot milk is put into a vat with a starter culture and rennet. Thick curd develops and is cut and stirred to create the right substance. Â Some of the liquid whey is then removed. The curds are then pressed into circular molds to get rid of extra moisture and dropped into a brine bath which is a bath in saltwater. The salt from the brine slows down undesired bacterial activity and enhances the well-known Gouda flavor. Once the cheese dries, it is coated in wax and aged for differing amounts of time, depending on the type of Gouda desired.Â
Smoked Gouda is also available, and when produced, it is still smoked in ancient brick ovens over smoldering hickory chip embers. It has a nuttier flavor and pairs well with beer, and can also be served with nuts, fruits, and dark chocolate. Smoked Gouda also goes well with sandwiches and hamburgers.
About Gouda
The variety of flavors in Gouda come from the different pastures the cattle graze on, the length of time it is aged, and the development of salt crystals which gives it a crumbling texture as the cheese ages. Before being coated with a yellow plastic coating (this prevents the cheese from drying out), the cheese is dried for a few days. Then it is aged. Dutch cheesemakers use six categories to classify Gouda:
- Gouda aged for 1 month is YoungÂ
- Gouda aged 2 months is Young MaturedÂ
- Gouda aged 4 months is Matured
- Gouda aged 7 months is Extra MaturedÂ
- Gouda aged 10 months is Old/Fully MaturedÂ
- Gouda aged for 12 months or more is Very Old
Younger Gouda is lighter in color, sweeter, and milder tasting. The longer a piece of Gouda ages, the darker in color, the harder and more flavorful it becomes.Â
Gouda is a hard, sweet cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. Serve at room temperature, and it will melt in your mouth. Gouda compliments a cheese platter with sweet fruits (apples, pears, peaches), crackers, mustards, and bread. It is also great in sandwiches, hamburgers, omelets, vegetable dishes, makes a great macaroni and cheese, and an excellent base for fondue. Pair it with a glass of light and fruity red or white wine. Beers with a rich caramel flavor will complement the sweet taste of Gouda cheese. Brown ales, amber ales, and brown porters all go well with younger Goudas.
There are various Gouda cheeses available, so order your favorite Gouda or try a new one. Simply open the Instacart app to start shopping. Add them to your cart, complete your purchase, sit back, and relax while an Instacart shopper does the work for you. This will save you time and eliminate a stop at the store.
How long does Gouda last
Gouda will last 2-3 weeks if properly stored. The best way to keep your cheese fresh is to cover it with wax paper and aluminum foil. This allows it to breathe yet not dry out. Once wrapped, place the cheese in an airtight container. It can also be wrapped in parchment or wax paper, then placed in plastic. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
Gouda Near Me
Buy your favorite Gouda online with Instacart. Order Gouda from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.