Are you familiar with Gouda cheese? The Dutch cheese is yellow in color and coated with food-grade wax. Like the existence of mozzarella cheese, Gouda cheese is also becoming increasingly known in the culinary world.
Well, in this article, we will thoroughly explore Gouda cheese. Starting from its origins, production process, characteristics, to the benefits derived from consuming Gouda cheese. Keep reading!
The Origins of Gouda Cheese
So, the name Gouda cheese is taken from a place in the Netherlands, namely Gouda. Gouda is a famous cheese trading center in the Netherlands that has the nickname “city of cheese”. Other well-known cheeses named after places include cheddar, brie, and camembert.
Title: Gouda cheese from Netherlands
However, there is a unique aspect that differentiates Gouda cheese from those other cheeses, which is that Gouda is named because Gouda cheese was sold in Gouda, not made in Gouda. Because of this, Gouda cheese can be produced anywhere, not necessarily in Gouda.
Read More: 6 Biggest Cheese Producing Countries in the World
Gouda Cheese Production Process
Before we continue discussing the characteristics of Gouda cheese, we should understand the production process of Gouda cheese which will influence the characteristics of the cheese.
So, Gouda cheese uses fresh milk, either raw or pasteurized. The milk is added with bacteria and the rennet enzyme to undergo the coagulation process. During this process, the milk will curdle and form curds.
Next, the curds will be dried and molded. However, before being molded, in the case of Gouda cheese, the curds will be rinsed to remove some lactose. Therefore, Gouda cheese is one type of cheese that has little lactose.
The characteristics of Gouda cheese appear during the pressing process to solidify the curds and the salting process. The salt contained during the salting can slow down the activity of unwanted bacteria and enhance the unique flavor of Gouda cheese.
Read More: Discover the Health-Boosting Good Bacteria in Cheese!
Characteristics of Gouda Cheese
Looking at its texture, Gouda has a dense texture. Therefore, based on its type, Gouda cheese falls into the semi-hard or dense cheese category. Meanwhile, based on its color, Gouda has a color ranging from light yellow to golden.
The flavor of Gouda cheese depends on its level of maturity. In addition, when consuming it, Gouda cheese can provide a unique aroma and flavor like caramel with a slight touch of sweet and creamy nuts.
Benefits of Gouda Cheese
In addition to its deliciousness, Gouda Cheese also offers various health benefits:
- Good source of protein: Gouda cheese is rich in protein, which is important for building and maintaining body tissues.
- Rich in calcium: Gouda cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which is important for bone and dental health.
- Vitamins and minerals: Gouda cheese also contains vitamins A, B12, and phosphorus, as well as minerals such as zinc and magnesium.
- Probiotics: Gouda cheese contains probiotics, good bacteria that can aid digestion and improve gut health.
Gouda cheese is a delicious, versatile cheese rich in health benefits. From its rich history to its intricate production process, Gouda cheese is truly a special culinary product.
