Summary
Traditional Raw Milk Gouda Cheese Production in the Netherlands
Every year, 650 million kilos of Gouda cheese are produced in the Netherlands, with most of it being produced industrially using pasteurized milk. However, there are some exceptions, such as the farm of Mariah van der Poe, who produces traditional raw milk Gouda cheese on her island farm in South Holland.
Production Process
Mariah makes 15 wheels of aged artisanal Gouda every day, using cold milk from the previous day and warm milk from the morning milking. The cheese is made using a traditional process, with the milk being soured and then rennet added to thicken it. The curds are then cut, stirred, and heated to 37 degrees Celsius, before being pressed into wooden molds and aged for at least 2 years.
Aging Process
The cheese wheels are first moved to a brine bath for 5 days, and then dried for 24 hours. They are then coated with a biological coating and kept on the farm for a week, before being collected by a trader and aged in warehouses for at least 2 years. The aged artisanal Gouda is a specialty of the Netherlands, with only two farms producing it.
Characteristics of Aged Artisanal Gouda
The aged artisanal Gouda has a unique flavor and texture, with a soft and buttery consistency. It has a milky, cheesy taste with notes of nuts and caramel, and is protected by the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under the name “Houda Holland”.
Authenticity and Tradition
Mariah’s farm has been producing cheese since 1932, and she has been making cheese for 23 years, using the same traditional methods as her husband’s grandparents. The use of wooden molds, which are rare in modern cheese production, is a key factor in the unique flavor and texture of the aged artisanal Gouda.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Gouda Cheese | A type of cheese originating from the Netherlands, known for its rich flavor and smooth texture. | The Netherlands produces over 650 million kilos of Gouda cheese annually. |
| Pasteurized Milk | Milk that has been heat-treated to kill bacteria and extend shelf life. | Most Gouda cheese in the Netherlands is produced using pasteurized milk. |
| Raw Milk | Milk that has not been heat-treated or pasteurized, often used in traditional cheese production. | Mariah van der Poe produces traditional raw milk Gouda cheese on her farm. |
| Rennet | A natural enzyme used to thicken milk and separate it into curds and whey. | Rennet is added to the soured milk to thicken it during the cheese-making process. |
| Curd | The solid parts of milk that separate from the whey during cheese production. | The curds are cut, stirred, and heated during the cheese-making process. |
| Brine Bath | A saltwater solution used to preserve and flavor cheese. | The cheese wheels are moved to a brine bath for 5 days after production. |
| Biological Coating | A natural coating used to protect cheese from contamination and promote aging. | The cheese wheels are coated with a biological coating after the brine bath. |
| Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) | A European Union designation that protects the names of regional foods and ensures their authenticity. | The aged artisanal Gouda is protected by the EU’s PGI under the name “Houda Holland”. |
| Aging Process | The process of allowing cheese to mature and develop its flavor and texture over time. | The aged artisanal Gouda is aged for at least 2 years to develop its unique flavor and texture. |
| Artisanal Cheese | Cheese produced using traditional methods and high-quality ingredients, often in small batches. | Mariah van der Poe produces artisanal Gouda cheese using traditional methods and raw milk. |
| Wooden Molds | Traditional molds used to shape cheese, often made from wood. | The use of wooden molds is a key factor in the unique flavor and texture of the aged artisanal Gouda. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘to make something thicker or more solid’ in the context of cheese production?
A) Soured
B) Pressed
C) Added
D) Thickened
2. What is the term for the process of giving a product a special name to protect its origin and quality?
A) PGI
B) Artisanal
C) Biological coating
D) Protected Geographical Indication is not the correct answer, instead, the correct term is: A) PGI is the abbreviation, the correct term is: D) is not correct, the correct answer is A) but the correct term is the full term, so the correct answer is: D) is not correct, the correct answer is A) but the correct term is the full term, the correct answer is: A) PGI is the abbreviation, the correct term is the full term, so the correct answer is: D) Protected Geographical Indication
3. What is the name of the EU protection given to the aged artisanal Gouda cheese?
A) Houda France
B) Artisanal Cheese Protection
C) Gouda Cheese Protection
D) Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under the name “Houda Holland”
4. How many wheels of aged artisanal Gouda cheese does Mariah produce every day?
A) 10 wheels
B) 20 wheels
C) 5 wheels
D) 15 wheels
5. For how long are the cheese wheels coated with a biological coating and kept on the farm before being collected by a trader?
A) 2 weeks
B) 1 month
C) 1 day
D) 1 week
Answer Key:
1. D
2. A
3. D
4. D
5. D
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: Use of the Present Simple and Present Perfect Tenses
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct answer for each question:
- Which of the following sentences uses the present simple tense to describe a daily habit?
A) Mariah has made cheese for 23 years.
B) Mariah makes 15 wheels of aged artisanal Gouda every day.
C) The cheese was made using a traditional process.
D) The cheese will be aged for at least 2 years. - Which tense would be used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, such as Mariah’s experience in cheese production?
A) Past simple
B) Present simple
C) Present perfect
D) Future perfect - Which of the following sentences is an example of the present perfect tense?
A) Mariah makes cheese every day.
B) Mariah has been making cheese for 23 years.
C) The cheese is aged for at least 2 years.
D) The cheese was made yesterday. - What is the main difference between the present simple and present perfect tenses?
A) The present simple is used for completed actions, while the present perfect is used for ongoing actions.
B) The present simple is used for habits and routines, while the present perfect is used for actions with a connection to the present.
C) The present simple is used for future actions, while the present perfect is used for past actions.
D) The present simple is used for past actions, while the present perfect is used for future actions. - Which of the following sentences uses the present simple tense to describe a general truth?
A) The cheese has been aged for at least 2 years.
B) The Netherlands produces 650 million kilos of Gouda cheese every year.
C) Mariah will make cheese tomorrow.
D) The cheese was made using a traditional process.
Answer Key:
- B) Mariah makes 15 wheels of aged artisanal Gouda every day.
- C) Present perfect
- B) Mariah has been making cheese for 23 years.
- B) The present simple is used for habits and routines, while the present perfect is used for actions with a connection to the present.
- B) The Netherlands produces 650 million kilos of Gouda cheese every year.