Cumin's Cheesy Companions: Exploring Flavorful Matches

Cumin is a popular ingredient in cheese, particularly in the Netherlands. One of the most common types of cumin cheese is Leyden, a semi-hard cheese made with cumin and caraway seeds. Another popular variety is Gouda with cumin, which is a traditional Dutch cheese with a creamy texture and a warm, spicy flavour from the addition of cumin seeds. Cumin Gouda is available in a range of maturities, from semi-matured to very old, and can be paired with foods such as toast, crackers, and Italian antipasto meats.

Cumin Gouda Cheese

The process of making Gouda involves washing the curd, which creates an elastic, mellow-flavoured cheese. The cumin seeds are added to the curd before it is pressed and then redressed, inverted, and pressed again overnight. The finished cheese is then cut by hand and packaged to be delivered fresh to customers.

Cumin Gouda is a wonderful blend of spicy and creamy, with the aromatic cumin seeds adding a unique kick to the already buttery, nutty flavours of the classic cheese. This variety of Gouda is a must-try for cheese enthusiasts, especially when paired with a glass of Chardonnay or a Dutch beer.

The cumin-spiced Gouda is also a healthier option, as it is lower in salt than the traditional variety. It has a longer shelf life, staying fresh for 7-8 weeks when vacuum-sealed, and can be delivered worldwide with cooling packs to ensure optimal quality. So, whether you're in Toronto or Amsterdam, you can enjoy this delicious cheese!

Cumin Cheese Recipes

Cumin is a popular ingredient in cheese recipes, particularly in the Netherlands, where cumin cheese, or komijnekaas, originated. There are several recipes for cumin cheese, including cumin-flavoured Cheddar and Gouda. Here are some recipes and tips to get you started:

Cumin-Flavoured Cheddar

This recipe is very similar to making homemade Cheddar cheese, with the addition of cumin for flavouring. You will need:

• Full-cream milk
• Freeze-dried DVI starter
• Sea salt (with spices such as curry, cumin, chillies, or mint)
• Dry-roasted cumin seeds

The process involves warming the milk, mixing in the starter, and allowing it to rest. Then, add the rennet and let the milk solidify. Cut the curds, let them rest, and heat them in a double boiler until they reach 39°C (102°F). Drain the curds, add salt and cumin seeds, and cook for another 45 minutes. Drain the curds again, place them in a cheese mould, and press at different weights for specified times. Finally, remove the cheese from the mould, dry it, wrap it in a cloth, seal it, and mature it for 3 to 24 months.

Spiced Gouda with Cumin Seeds

Gouda is a traditional Dutch cheese that has been experimented with over the centuries, and the addition of cumin seeds provides a warm, spicy flavour. To make cumin Gouda at home, you can follow a basic Gouda recipe and add cumin seeds during the milling stage, before pressing the cheese into moulds. Alternatively, you can purchase spiced Gouda with cumin seeds from speciality cheese shops.

Leyden Cheese

Leyden, or Leidse kaas in Dutch, is a semi-hard cumin and caraway seed-flavoured cheese made in the Netherlands. It is typically made with cow's milk and has a fat percentage of 30% to 40%. The process involves setting the milk with rennet, cutting the curd, adding cumin seeds, and pressing the cheese. It is then salted, cured, and washed if the rind becomes too hard.

Pairing Cumin Cheese

Cumin is a versatile spice that can add a warm, spicy kick to a variety of dishes. When it comes to cheese, cumin is often added to Gouda, a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, to create a unique and flavourful combination. Here are some tips and suggestions for pairing cumin cheese:

Cumin Gouda Cheese

Gouda is one of the oldest European cheeses, popular since the 12th century, and is known for its smooth, ivory-coloured interior. The addition of cumin seeds gives the traditional cheese a warm and spicy flavour. Cumin Gouda cheese is a classic Dutch recipe, with a creamy texture and a pungent aroma. The cumin seeds add an extra layer of flavour to the already delicious Gouda, making it perfect for melting on toast, cheese boards, or enjoying after a spicy Indian or Thai meal.

Pairing Suggestions

When it comes to pairing cumin cheese, here are some options to consider:

• Wines: A chilled glass of Chardonnay is often recommended to complement the spicy notes of cumin Gouda.
• Meats: Italian antipasto meats pair well with the warm spiciness of cumin Gouda.
• Crackers: For a simple yet delicious pairing, serve cumin Gouda on crackers. Local fourseed sourdough crackers, made with the starter used for fresh sourdough, can add a unique twist to your cheese board.
• Beverages: If you're looking for a non-alcoholic beverage pairing, a glass of cold milk or a refreshing beer, such as a Dutch beer, can go well with the cheese.
• Fruits and Nuts: Try pairing cumin Gouda with fresh or dried fruits, such as apples, pears, or apricots, and crunchy nuts like almonds or walnuts.
• Condiments: Honey and thyme can also be delicious accompaniments to cumin cheese, providing a sweet and aromatic contrast to the spicy flavour of the cheese.

Other Cumin Cheeses

While Gouda is the most commonly associated cheese with cumin, there are other varieties worth mentioning:

• Leyden Cheese: This semi-hard cheese, also from the Netherlands, is traditionally made in the Leiden area with cumin and caraway seeds. It has sharp edges and a distinctive red colour due to the use of annatto.
• Henri Willig Cow Cheese with Cumin: This premium cheese from Holland is another option, offering a robust flavour and a delicate taste.

In conclusion, cumin cheese, particularly cumin Gouda, offers a delightful blend of creamy texture and warm, spicy flavours. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with complementary foods and beverages, cumin cheese is a unique and tasty addition to any cheese platter or culinary creation.

Cumin Cheese Nutrition

Cumin cheese is a variety of cheese that includes cumin as one of its ingredients. Cumin is a spice made from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, which is native to the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. Cumin lends a distinctive warm, spicy, nutty, and earthy flavour to the cheese.

One of the most common types of cumin cheese is Leyden cheese, also known as Leidse kaas in Dutch. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk in the Netherlands, particularly in the Leiden area. The cheese is round and flat, similar to Gouda cheese, but with sharp edges and less roundness. It typically has a fat percentage of 30-40% and can weigh between 3-9 kg.

To make Leyden cheese, about 5% buttermilk may be added to the milk, and it is then set with rennet at a temperature of 28-30°C. After 30 minutes, the curd is cut, stirred, and warmed to 33°C by adding hot whey. The curd is then dipped in a cloth, kneaded, and cumin seeds are added. The curd is placed into cloth-lined hoops in three layers, with the spiced curd in the middle. The cheese is pressed for three hours, redressed, inverted, and pressed overnight. It can be salted or immersed in a brine bath, and then cured in a cool, moist cellar. If the rind becomes too hard, it is washed with whey or salty water.

Another popular type of cumin cheese is Gouda with cumin, which adds cumin seeds to the traditional Dutch Gouda cheese. This variety combines the creamy, smooth, and slightly springy texture of Gouda with the warm and spicy flavour of cumin.

While specific nutritional information for cumin cheese is limited, we can look at the nutritional benefits of cumin to understand its potential advantages. Cumin has been shown to promote digestion, reduce food-borne infections, aid in weight loss, improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and provide a rich source of iron. It also contains beneficial plant compounds, such as terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which act as antioxidants.

In terms of nutritional value, one source mentions that a cumin cheese from the Henri Willig brand contains the following per 100g: fat, carbohydrates, and milk, including lactose.

Cumin Cheese Delivery

Cumin and cheese is a classic Dutch combination, with several types of cumin-flavoured cheeses available for delivery. One of the most popular varieties is cumin Gouda, which is a semi-soft, semi-matured cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands. The addition of cumin seeds gives the cheese a warm, spicy flavour and an unusual creamy texture. Cumin Gouda is often vacuum-packed and can be delivered worldwide, staying fresh for up to 7-8 weeks.

Another variety of cumin cheese available for delivery is Leyden cheese, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese also made in the Netherlands. Leyden cheese is typically round and flat, similar to Gouda, but with sharp edges and less roundness. It has a fat percentage of 30-40% and can weigh between 3kg and 9kg. This cheese is traditionally made in the Leiden area and is the most common type of komijnekaas, or cheese that includes cumin as an ingredient, in the Netherlands.

Some online retailers offer worldwide delivery for cumin cheese, while others deliver only within specific countries, such as the UK or Canada. Delivery times vary, with some companies offering next-day delivery and others taking up to a few weeks. Prices also differ depending on the retailer and the amount of cheese ordered.

When ordering cumin cheese for delivery, it is important to consider the shipping and storage conditions to ensure the cheese arrives in optimal condition. Some companies use special cheese paper and sealing techniques to preserve freshness during transit, and include cooling packs to maintain the appropriate temperature.

Frequently asked questions