Boeren Goudse Oplegkaas is a traditional raw cow’s milk Gouda made by the Captein family on their farm in Weipoort, near Zoeterwoude in South Holland. The Dutch term oplegkaas refers to a cheese made for long aging. The family has made this Gouda since 2001, and the wheels mature for at least 18 months before sale.

The cheese is made from the farm’s own raw summer milk, when the cows graze day and night in the surrounding pastures. The milk is coagulated with animal rennet, and the curds are pressed in linen-lined wooden molds. The wheels are then brined, and the cheesemakers use a cheese trier to take samples and check how the cheese is developing as it matures.

The cheese has a full yet mild flavor and remains supple enough to shave into thin slices even after extended aging. Serve it on a cheese board or pair it with a glass of Tempranillo.