Tastes like smokey butterscotch, gouda cheese has a rich, nutty, and caramel complexion with crumbly texture. It is a mild yellow cheese with very smooth texture, that can be added to varying degrees of complexity.
The flavors of young gouda cheese are creamy and bland, except for the aged gouda, which has a very dark gold color, saltier taste, and is more potent and complex in its texture. As a result, this type of cheese pairs well with variety of dishes.
What to eat with gouda cheese? Gouda cheese pairs exceptionally well with fruits. With aged or smoked cheese, apples, pears, and apricots taste the best, while cherries, peaches, and melon are the perfect pairing for young gouda cheese.
In addition, it is best when served melted in a sandwich or even burger. When creating cheese platter for an appetizer with gouda cheese, consider using the smoked gouda cheese with simple crackers and salami.
Additionally, serve with whiskey, wine, or beer, but this depends on the age of the gouda.
Depending on how long the cheese is aged will ultimately vary the taste. Older gouda cheese becomes harder, stronger, darker, and has an enhanced buttery, nutty and smoky flavor.
This article will provide more information on what goes well with gouda cheese, the flavors, and meats eaten with gouda cheese. Answered below are frequently asked questions about what to eat with gouda cheese providing in-depth details about each food pairing.
What flavor goes well with gouda cheese?
The flavors that go well with gouda cheese include a mixture of fresh fruits like pears, peaches, or apples, and dried fruits like cherries and apricots. A sweet pairing with brownie and chocolate will be excellent if the aged gouda is more complex and sweeter.
Other flavor combinations with ingredients that goes well with gouda cheese include:
- gouda cheese + cream cheese + sun dried tomatoes
- gouda cheese + apple + cinnamon + caramel
- gouda cheese + red pepper + onion + chiles
- gouda cheese + pears + leek + butter + egg
- gouda cheese + cauliflower + carrots + prosciutto + mustard
What meat goes well with gouda cheese?
The meats that go well with gouda cheese are the bold-flavored ones, for instance, napoli, calabrese, and chorizo. However, there are various meat choices to serve with aged or young gouda cheese.
With the buttery, nutty taste infused with the notes of caramel and smoke, gouda cheese is always an all-around crowd-pleaser that is perfect for the cheese board for any gathering.
Here are meat options that go well with gouda cheese:
- salami
- ham
- prosciutto
- bacon
- chicken breast
- beef
- turkey
- ground meat
What goes well with gouda cheese?
Gouda cheese goes excellently with the crackers, mustard, bread, and fresh fruits. What is to be paired with gouda cheese is dependent on its age.
Therefore, acknowledging the ingredients that goes well with gouda cheese is crucial.
- Beer: brown ales, brown porters, or amber ales
- Fruits: apples, apricots, cherries, melon, peaches, pears
- Vegetables: spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, sweet potato, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, squash, carrots
- Nuts: walnuts, pine nuts, pecans
- Wine: Pinot Not, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc
- Cheese: cheddar, parmesan, goat, cream cheese, muenster
- Seeds: sunflower, pumpkin, caraway seeds, cumin, fennel
- Spices: smoked paprika
- Condiments: dijon mustard, Worcestershire, hot sauce, mayonnaise
- Bread: sourdough, white, baguette, whole wheat, pretzel
- Jam: fig, orange, plum, bacon-onion, raspberry
Eat With Gouda Cheese: Conclusion
Gouda cheese comes in various ages that ultimately determine the flavor. For example, a few weeks old young gouda is very sweet, mild, and a little pungy.
As the gouda cheese becomes aged, it develops additional caramel notes, a slight tang, and rich nuttiness. Every gouda cheese is a little bit different and depends on the maturity in months, it creates some crunchiness from the cheese crystals.
Pair gouda with fresh fruits such as pears, apples, or peaches, or dried fruits like cherries or apricots. It tastes amazing with simple crackers and side of salami for appetizer, or when melted on a burger or hot sandwich.
With the right drinks such as whisky, wine, and beer, you can explore the cheese in-depth. Alcoholic beverages with malty or caramel flavored drinks pair wonderfully with aged and young gouda cheese.
Whether you are adding gouda cheese for a snack or meal, use these flavor combination and ingredient pairings to create wonderful dishes. Using fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other cheeses, you will experience classical cuisine with gouda cheese when paired correctly.