A great shift in the traditional wine and cheese pairing is happening today. As a partner with cheese, beer rarely lets us down.
Let’s say for example one day, you bought some beer and you want to buy some cheese to go with it. There are two things that you can do: First, you can choose to be very specific about the process and carefully pair the flavors in a particular type of beer with a specific type of cheese. Or second, you can simply buy the cheese that goes perfectly with almost any kind of beer. If you do not have the patience to get caught up in details, then perhaps option number two is for you. I recommend that you start your beer and cheese journey with Gouda cheese, because whatever beer you are having, there is no room for disappointment with this type of cheese.
Just like balloon skirts, politics, and diets, a number of cheeses go in and out of fashion. Even Holland’s best-known cheese, Gouda, has felt a decline in its reputation for quite some time. Cheese experts find Gouda cheese bland, with a texture ideal for teething babies, and has not character whatsoever. But before you put your prejudice on this sweet and tasty yellow cheese, Gouda has a lot to offer.
It is true that Goudas are milder cheeses, with a smooth and buttery texture. However, that depends on how long it has been aged. Actually, softer cheeses are aged briefly compared to harder, firmer cheeses. Some purists who turn up their noses at young Goudas have far greater respect for the more mature relatives of the clan. Just like any other aged cheese, aged Gouda has a harder and firmer texture than young Gouda, almost the same as Parmigiano Reggiano. It also has a complex flavor an intense butterscotch caramel, salty but leaning on the sweeter side. Gouda cheese is even described with a caramelized or toffee-like taste.
And because of its exceptionally sweet taste, Gouda cheese is considered as the best pair for beer. Actually, beer is the de facto complement for cheese in several cultures all around the world. . This is no surprise because cheese and beer practically grew up in the farm together the grain used to produce beer is often the same grain that is fed to milk-animals that produce cheese. On top of that, the flavors of beer and cheese that earthly, yeasty, musty, fruity, rich and floral taste jives in such a way that wine and cheese cannot.
Gouda cheese is salty-sweet, nutty, and sharp. What better way to chase its sweet taste with a refreshing bottle of Lager? Enjoy a few bottles with your friends and order Gouda cheese today!
What are you waiting for, buy Gouda cheese at your local cheese shop.
