Gouda (L'Amuse)
- Producer
- Varies. Affineur: L'Amuse
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Beemster and Schermer
- Size
- 17 - 20 ins diameter, 5 ins high
- Weight
- 35 lbs
- Website
- Milk
- Cow
- Classification
- Hard
- Rennet
- Animal
- Rind
- Plastic
L’Amuse Signature Gouda is the product of a close collaboration between several gouda producers, mainly Cono and Lutjewinkel, in the Beemster and Schermer region and Betty Koster, owner of L’Amuse cheese store, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The milk for this cheese comes from the quiet, canal-lined pastures of Northern Holland. This remarkable landscape, located 20ft. below sea level, was reclaimed from the sea in 1612, and became inhabited by farmers and their cattle. The Beemster region or “polder” soon became known for its high quality milk. Working closely with the producers, Betty and her husband Martin carefully grade and select certain gouda cheeses that they transfer to a warehouse. There, the wheels are tended and matured at the cellars for up to 30 months before being released and sold. Betty matures these goudas at higher temperatures (51-54 F) and humidity levels than normal which allows the crystals to form while preserving the moist, buttery paste and nutty flavor.
Tasting Notes
The texture of a typical L’Amuse Signature Gouda is hard and dense, punctuated with pronounced crystalline “nugget” (crunchy bits) in the deep yellow amber paste.
Flavors are deep and extremely rich, reminiscent of butterscotch, caramel notes and toasted hazelnuts. The finish is long, lingering and balanced.
