This cheese has been made on Dutch farms in the vicinity of Gouda, a village near Rotterdam, since the XVI century. The cheese became a new craze and was soon very successful. Its production increased with the opening of industrial dairies at the beginning of the XX century. To determine the quality of a wheel, the connoisseurs would tap on it. This is known as "sounding" the cheese. A high tone or "sound" indicates that the cheese is ready and may be served with confidence. The rind of a wheel of genuine Gouda bears a patch of casein. Beware of copies! Our Gouda is flavored with cumin. One can find it with plain or mustard seeds as well.