This is a mature Gouda with a robust, rich savoury-sweet flavour, a smooth texture permeated with very fine crystalline nuggets. One of the Netherlands’ most famous Goudas, Old Amsterdam was first created in the 1940’s by Lambert Westland and his family. Now made by a number of local daries to the Westlands' recipe due to the great popularity of this wonderful cheese. The cheeses are pressed and then placed in a brine tank which helps to develop the rind. After several hours in the brine, the wheels are transferred to a maturing warehouse. The process of maturation for Old Amsterdam is fairly unique in that it consists of three different stages. Each stage, is designed to contribute and bring out certain characteristics in the flavor and texture development of the cheeses. The wheels mature at different rates, so the decision made by the company's master cheesemaker as to when they are ready for release is based on flavor and texture rather than time. Try it with a beer - gorgeous! Pasteurised, cow's milk