Gouda has been around since at least the 13th century, and it remains one of the most popular cheeses in the world.

But producers are still finding new ways to add variety to their gouda lineups, and retailers continue to tap into the power of this sweet, creamy variety to lure shoppers to their specialty cheese cases.

Emmi Roth offers a wide variety of gouda for sale in grocery specialty cheese cases, including Original, Smoked, Aged, Spinach Artichoke, Buffalo Ranch and Hot Honey.

Hot Honey won a Silver Medal at the 2023 United States Championship Cheese Contest.

Three of those new flavors were added in 2021, a sign of the category’s robust health, said Brittany Fladeboe, Emmi Roth branded product manager.

“Since 2019, we have seen the demand for gouda grow. We believe part of this is driven by flavor innovation in the gouda category, as well as the accessibility and familiarity of gouda among consumers.” It’s an incredibly versatile cheese, Fladeboe added, and it’s available at a price point that makes it perfect for adding to a cheeseboard or incorporating in a recipe.

“Gouda always has mass appeal.”

In addition to Roth Aged Gouda and new Roth Gouda flavors, new products Emmi Roth is currently working on include an exact weight cut of the company’s popular Roth 3 Chile Pepper Gouda and natural Roth Gouda spreads.

Gouda, meet parmesan

FrieslandCampina’s Parrano Originale is a one-of-a-kind cheese that’s aged for five months and blends the smooth, creamy texture of a Gouda with the nutty flavor of a parmesan.

Its versatile and complex but approachable flavor is perfect for elevating springtime recipes, according to the company.

“The unique blend of flavors makes for a must-have cheese when entertaining, can be served in a variety of ways and is great from many at-home entertaining occasions.

Another FrieslandCampina standout, Gayo Azul Dutch Gouda, is a versatile, mild and creamy cheese that’s perfect on a cheeseboard, in a casserole or as a topping or used in sauces and soups.

Also available in slices, it’s delicious on cold sandwich or melts beautifully in a hot one.

Gayo Azul, “the Caribbean Hispanic cheesemakers with a Dutch influence,” has a rich heritage and a strong Dutch influence that has been a traditional staple of Caribbean Hispanic cuisine for decades, according to FrieslandCampina. The brand offers a range of traditional Dutch cheeses as well as fresh white domestic cheeses.

Arethusa Farm Dairy gouda wins top honors

An aged gouda from Bantam, Conn.-based Arethusa Farm Dairy was the top winner at the recent United States Championship Cheese Contest.

Europa, as the cheese is called, was named the 2023 United States Champion Cheese, winning out over 2,249 entries from 197 dairy companies from 35 states.

“The men and women of the U.S. dairy processing industry are exceptionally passionate and dedicated to crafting quality products, and that commitment shines through in the high caliber of this year’s winners. We congratulate them on their hard-earned and well-deserved success,” said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, which hosts the biennial competition.

Hosted by the association since 1981, the contest is the country’s premier technical cheese, butter, yogurt, and whey competition. A team of 42 nationally renowned judges evaluated all entries over the two-day event.

McGouda?

Fast food behemoth McDonald’s latest breakfast innovation is a McMuffin with gouda.

The Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda McMuffin – available in Canada only – includes a freshly cracked Canada Grade A egg topped with smoke flavored gouda, smoky cheese flavored sauce and hickory smoked bacon on a toasted English muffin.