L'Amuse Signature Gouda Cheese 2 Years, Retail Wedge

Essex St. Cheese’s L’Amuse Signature Gouda is no ordinary Dutch Gouda—it’s the benchmark for what this cheese can be when aged with care and intention. Produced in northern Holland by the Cono Co-op using milk from Holstein Friesian cows, the wheels are handed over to affineur and cheesemonger Betty Koster of Fromagerie L’Amuse. Betty ages the cheese at slightly warmer temperatures than typical, a delicate and risky process that rewards with spectacular flavor: roasted hazelnuts, burnt caramel, and a creamy yet crunchy texture with tyrosine crystals that pop in every bite. Unlike many aged Goudas that turn brittle, L’Amuse retains a velvety suppleness, making it both deeply flavorful and exceptionally approachable.

At the table, this two-year Gouda shines on cheese boards with cured meats, Marcona almonds, figs, or dark chocolate. It also excels in cooking—grate over roasted root vegetables, melt into a luxurious sauce for steak or burgers, or fold into a fondue. Imported exclusively through Essex St. Cheese, this cheese reflects Betty Koster’s lifelong dedication to Dutch dairy artisans and her mastery of the art of affinage.

• Pairings: Bold reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Rioja), dessert wines (Port, Madeira, Sauternes), Belgian dubbels or tripels, or single-malt Scotch