Kitchen Dictionary: gouda

This round, yellow cheese is named after the Dutch town of Gouda, just outside Rotterdam and accounts for more than 60% of the cheese produced in Holland. Gouda is a traditional, creamery, hard cheese covered in a wax rind. The flavor is sweet and fruity. As time passes, the taste intensifies and becomes more complex. Mature Gouda (18 months plus) is coated in black wax which provides a stark contrast to the deep yellow interior. Gouda is considered to be one of the world's great cheeses. It is both a table cheese and a dessert cheese, excellent with fruit and wine.

Ethnicity: dutch Ingredient

Season: available year-round