Deliciously creamy with a smooth texture, Gouda cheese is a cow’s milk cheese which has been produced in the Netherlands since the 12th century. Extremely versatile, especially as a melting cheese for grilled sandwiches, cheese-based soups and fondue, Gouda has become one of the world’s most popular cheeses.
The cheese was named for the Dutch city of Gouda, but not because it was produced in or around the city. Gouda was in fact the city that won the monopoly trading rights for Gouda cheese off its rival Schoonhoven in around 1540. Cheesemaker Frico’s story dates back to a comparatively late 1898, when six dairy factories got together to form a dairy product export association, starting with butter and expanding into a selection of top quality cheeses. Today it’s a worldwide brand, selling its great-tasting cheeses in more than 90 countries across the globe.