A wedge of Gouda can be your everyday sandwich cheese or the first thing everyone reaches for on a cheese board. The age makes a difference. If you are choosing Dutch cheese online in Thailand, start with how you plan to eat it, then look at the style and pack size.
Young Gouda for everyday sandwiches
Young Gouda is generally mild, creamy and easy to slice. It makes a good starting point if you prefer a gentle cheese flavour, or if you want a cheese that leaves room for ham, mustard or a few slices of cucumber.
For a simple lunch, layer thin slices on bread with a little butter. You can also try it in a toasted sandwich. Keep the filling fairly thin so the bread and cheese warm through together. Our catalogue includes young Gouda from Huizer Kaas Gilde; check the product page for the packs currently offered.
Mature Gouda when you want more flavour
Mature Gouda has a fuller flavour than young Gouda while still being useful for an ordinary lunch. Try a slice on brown bread, or cut a few cubes to serve with mustard and pickles. If you find a mild cheese gets lost beside smoked ham or chutney, a mature Gouda is worth trying.
You do not need a large cheese board to compare them. Put a small piece of young Gouda beside a small piece of mature Gouda and taste each on its own before adding anything else. That gives you a much clearer idea of your preference than tasting them in different meals.
Old Gouda for a small plate with plenty of character
Older Gouda tends to be firmer and more intense. Depending on the cheese, it may break into small pieces more readily than it slices. Serve little pieces with bread and something sharp, such as a pickle, and let people take as much as they like.
Age names and textures vary between producers. Read the description for the particular cheese rather than assuming every product marked “old” will taste the same. Beemster's guide to its cheese varieties is one useful example of how a producer describes its different styles.
Choose the pack you will actually use
Check the selected variant before adding cheese to your basket. A smaller pack is a sensible way to try an unfamiliar style; a larger one may suit a household that eats it regularly. Follow the storage instructions on the product when it arrives.
Find your next Gouda
Browse the Dutch Cheese 4 You cheese selection and choose a young, mature or older Gouda for your next lunch or board. If you are unsure which pack to pick, ask the shop before ordering.