Gouda cheese is one of the best tasting cheeses in the world; it is also one of the oldest kinds available. It has a distinct flavor and texture. Gouda is usually made of cow’s milk but artisan types use goat’s or sheep’s milk. It has a creamy quality with a hint of sweetness and a mild nutty flavor.
The Gouda cheese dates back to as far back as the 12th century. Cheese farmers from all over The Netherlands bring their cheeses to the city of Gouda during market days to sell them and that’s how the name came to be. From the time the cheese is made traditionally using unpasteurized milk to the time it is industrially produced, the cheese quality did not falter a bit. In fact, Gouda is one of the best tasting high-quality cheeses that your cheese boards would beg for.
What to Pair with Gouda?
But of course, for your local Wisconsin Gouda cheese to enjoy the spotlight, it must have an equally delicious pairing. To know what goes best with this on you platter for wine night, there are few factors to think about.
The first thing you must consider is the taste. Gouda has a mild nutty flavor and a somewhat fruity character. It’s also slightly sweet and creamy. Find foods that perfectly pair with the cheese’ unique flavors. Food with simple flavors works well with this amazing cheese. Crackers and nuts, fruits and pieces of bread are just some of the things you could serve it with.
The key to an amazing cheese platter is to serve food that promotes a balance in every bite. Let the complex taste of Gouda cheese play with your palate while the simple taste of the rest of the elements in the platter complement its flavor.
Gouda is also best served with a single malt Scotch whiskey, a brown ale beer, or a Merlot wine. The flavors of those drinks perfect the taste profile of a nicely aged Gouda cheese.
How to Build a Cheese Platter
With Gouda cheese at the forefront, you will need a few other things to build a really nice cheese platter that would serve well at parties and instantly impress your guests.
To make an elegant spread, start with Gouda cubes. Its firmer texture allows you to shape it according to your preference. You can go crazy and do different shapes but the basic is a cube, something that you would do with other similar types like cheddar. Then, throw in some sliced salami, a couple of nuts (salted, roasted, and shelled), pitted olives, a bowl of mustard sauce, French baguette slices, breadsticks, and some dark chocolates. You could play around, putting in a couple of other fruits and Italian meats to make the selection lovely.
Putting together a cheese platter is definitely exciting. From preparation to consumption, it’s a great time to play around with textures and tastes, depending on who you are serving it for and what occasion. You can never go wrong when you go with Gouda.
