Patrick Oconnell
Coolea cheese is a pasteurised cow's milk cheese that has been made by the Willems family in County Cork, Ireland, since the late 1970s. Using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe, the cheese is known for its smooth, semi-hard to hard texture and sweet, rich, caramelly flavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Semi-hard to hard, smooth, Gouda-like |
| Flavour | Rich, sweet, caramelly, hints of hazelnut, butterscotch and honey |
| Rind | Thick, solid wax |
| Manufacturer | Willems family |
| Manufacturing Location | Coolea Co. Cork, Ireland |
| Recipe | Ancient Dutch Gouda |
| Ripening Period | Minimum of two months |
| Variants | Coolea Plain, Coolea Extra Matured, Coolea with Cumin Seed, Coolea Matured |
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What You'll Learn
- Coolea cheese is made from cow's milk on the Willems family farm in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland
- It is made using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe, resulting in a smooth, semi-hard texture
- The cheese is covered in a thick, solid wax rind, which contributes to its flavour and texture
- Coolea has a sweet, rich and creamy flavour with hints of hazelnut, butterscotch and honey
- It comes in a variety of types, including Coolea Plain, Coolea Extra Matured, Coolea with Cumin Seed and Coolea Matured
Coolea cheese is made from cow's milk on the Willems family farm in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland
Coolea cheese is a pasteurised cow's milk cheese made on the Willems family farm in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland. The cheese is produced using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe and has been crafted on the mountain farm since the late 1970s. The Willems family only use milk from cows on a nearby farm, prioritising the health and freshness of their ingredients. The milk is at its best quality between April and September.
Neal's Yard Dairy has been buying Coolea cheese from the Willems family since the 1980s and exports their product worldwide. The cheese is handmade and has a smooth, Gouda-like texture with a thick, solid wax rind. Its flavour profile is rich and sweet, with hints of caramel, hazelnut, butterscotch and honey. As the cheese matures, its flavour evolves into a delightful sweetness, accompanied by a drier paste.
Coolea cheese ripens for a minimum of two months and can mature for up to 18 months. During this time, the cheese develops a semi-hard to hard texture. The Willems family have extended their maturing store with support from Neal's Yard Dairy, allowing their cheese to mature for even longer. This process contributes to the unique flavour and texture of Coolea cheese.
Coolea cheese is a versatile and high-quality product, suitable for a variety of occasions. It is available in several varieties, including Coolea Plain, Coolea Extra Matured, Coolea with Cumin Seed, and their most famous variety, Coolea Matured. The cheese has gained recognition both nationally and internationally, winning numerous awards.
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It is made using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe, resulting in a smooth, semi-hard texture
Coolea cheese is made using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe, resulting in a smooth, semi-hard texture. The cheese-making process has been perfected by the Willems family, who have been crafting this delicious cheese on their mountain farm in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland, since the late 1970s.
The Willems family uses only 100% fresh and healthy cow's milk from a nearby farm to create this high-quality cheese. The milk's quality is at its peak between April and September, ensuring the best flavour for the cheese. Coolea cheese is carefully ripened for a minimum of two months, resulting in a semi-hard to hard texture. During this maturation process, the cheese develops a delightful sweetness, with hints of hazelnut, butterscotch, and honey.
The ancient Gouda recipe contributes to the cheese's unique characteristics. Like Gouda, Coolea cheese is covered in a thick, solid wax rind, which enhances its flavour and texture. This rind is a signature feature of the cheese, setting it apart from others. The use of the ancient recipe and the dedication of the Willems family have resulted in a cheese with a smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
Coolea's texture is a key element that distinguishes it from other cheeses. Its semi-hard nature makes it versatile, perfect for slicing, grating, or melting. The smooth, even consistency ensures a pleasant mouthfeel, free from any grittiness or graininess that some cheeses may have. The cheese's texture also contributes to its longevity, allowing it to maintain its quality over a more extended period.
Coolea cheese's smooth, semi-hard texture is a testament to the ancient Dutch Gouda recipe and the artisanal skills of the Willems family. The combination of traditional methods, high-quality milk, and careful maturation results in a cheese that is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with a consistent and inviting texture.
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The cheese is covered in a thick, solid wax rind, which contributes to its flavour and texture
Coolea cheese is known for its thick, solid wax rind, a distinctive feature that sets it apart from many other cheeses. This natural rind forms a protective barrier around the cheese, contributing to its unique flavour and texture. The wax rind plays a crucial role in the cheese-making process and is a key factor in the overall character of Coolea.
The process of forming a wax rind involves coating the cheese in a layer of food-grade wax. This creates a physical barrier that helps to seal in moisture and protect the cheese from unwanted moulds and bacteria. The wax rind also allows the cheese to breathe, facilitating the exchange of gases during the ripening process. This ensures that the cheese matures evenly and develops its characteristic flavour and texture.
The wax rind of Coolea cheese is reminiscent of its Dutch Gouda ancestors, from which it draws inspiration. Like Gouda, Coolea's rind contributes to its smooth, Gouda-like texture. The wax helps to maintain a consistent moisture level within the cheese, preventing it from drying out and developing cracks or fissures. As a result, the cheese retains its creamy, semi-hard to hard texture, depending on its maturity.
In addition to its functional role, the wax rind also adds a unique dimension to the flavour of Coolea cheese. It imparts a subtle, pleasant flavour that blends seamlessly with the rich, sweet, and caramelly notes of the cheese. The rind's contribution to the overall taste profile is subtle but essential, enhancing the cheese's complexity and depth.
The thick, solid wax rind of Coolea cheese is not just a protective covering but an integral part of the cheese's character. It influences both the texture and flavour, making it a key factor in the overall enjoyment of this award-winning, Irish cow's milk cheese.
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Coolea has a sweet, rich and creamy flavour with hints of hazelnut, butterscotch and honey
Coolea cheese is a pasteurised cow's milk cheese that has been handmade on the mountain farm of the Willems family in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland, since the 1970s. Using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe, the cheese is known for its sweet, rich, and creamy flavour with hints of hazelnut, butterscotch, and honey. The unique blend of flavours in Coolea cheese is a result of the traditional production process, which includes ripening the cheese for a minimum of two months. During this maturation process, the cheese develops its signature sweetness and a drier paste.
The texture of Coolea cheese is smooth and close, similar to that of Dutch Gouda. It is covered in a thick, solid wax rind, which contributes to its overall flavour and texture. As the cheese matures, its texture evolves from semi-hard to hard, and its flavour becomes more intense and complex. The Willems family uses only 100% healthy fresh cow's milk from a nearby farm, ensuring the highest quality for their cheese.
Coolea cheese is available in several varieties, including Plain, Extra Matured, with Cumin Seed, and the most famous, Matured. Each variety offers a slightly different taste and texture experience, but all share the underlying sweet and creamy characteristics. The cheese's versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of occasions, from everyday meals to special gatherings.
The cheese has gained recognition both nationally and internationally for its exceptional quality and unique flavour profile. It has won numerous awards and is exported worldwide by Neal's Yard Dairy, who have been buying Coolea from the Willems family since the 1980s. The partnership has led to the expansion of the maturing store, allowing the cheese to be aged for longer and further developing its distinctive flavour.
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It comes in a variety of types, including Coolea Plain, Coolea Extra Matured, Coolea with Cumin Seed and Coolea Matured
Coolea is a pasteurised cow's milk cheese, made on the Willems family farm in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland. It is produced using an ancient Dutch Gouda recipe, which involves covering the cheese in a thick, solid wax rind, contributing to its flavour and texture. The result is a smooth, Gouda-like cheese with rich, sweet, caramelly flavours.
Coolea comes in a variety of types, including Coolea Plain, Coolea Extra Matured, Coolea with Cumin Seed, and Coolea Matured. Coolea Plain is the most versatile of the Coolea cheeses, with a mild, creamy flavour. It can be used as a table cheese, melted on toast, or added to sauces and soups for a creamy texture.
Coolea Extra Matured is aged for a longer period, resulting in a stronger, more intense flavour. It has a more pronounced caramel taste and a firmer texture, making it ideal for grating over pasta dishes or adding to salads for a burst of flavour.
Coolea with Cumin Seed is infused with cumin seeds during the cheese-making process, adding a unique, nutty flavour to the cheese. The cumin seeds provide a subtle spice, making this variety a great choice for those who enjoy a more complex flavour profile.
Coolea Matured, as the name suggests, is a mature version of the original Coolea cheese. It has a sharper, more pungent flavour and a firmer texture compared to the plain variety. This type is perfect for those who enjoy a more intense cheese experience, either on its own or as a flavourful addition to dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Coolea cheese has a semi-hard to hard, smooth, Gouda-like texture.
Coolea cheese has a rich, sweet, caramelly flavour with hints of hazelnut, butterscotch and honey.
Coolea cheese is made on the Willems family farm in Coolea, County Cork, Ireland.
