Category: Cheese

Gouda farmer’s low sodium cheese & saltless Gouda cheese.

Craxi low sodium Gouda cheese.

For individuals who are restricted from consuming salt due to health concerns, the journey to find a delicious, low-sodium cheese can be a challenging one.

Craxi saltless is a raw milk unsalted Gouda small cheese wheel weighing about 1 kg.

Our saltless Gouda cheese is crafted with care, focusing on completely minimizing salt content while preserving the delightful taste and texture cheese lovers adore. The traditional cheese-making process involves salting, which contributes to its distinctive flavor. However, for people on a strict salt-free diet, the salt content should be significantly reduced. We have gone a step further with our saltless Gouda cheese by denying them ‘swimming lessons’ in the brine bath so the cheese is not able to absorb the salt.

Did you know that our ‘regular’ Dutch Gouda farmer’s cheese contains less salt than factory-made Gouda?

Why does Craxi Gouda farmer’s cheese have a lower salt content than factory-made Gouda?

Well, the answer is quite simple our cheeses stay for a shorter period in the brine bath. Gouda farmer’s cheese is made with raw milk (more flavour) and factory-made Goude from pasteurized milk and has to stay longer in a brine bath to absorb more salt to develop some taste.

Saltless Gouda is for those who need to limit their salt intake but love tasty cheese.

Need to stick strictly to a salt restriction! Then our salt-free artisan Gouda still offers the satisfying taste experience of real cheese.

The benefits of low sodium cheese.

Low sodium cheese offers numerous benefits for individuals who need to limit their salt intake. Firstly, it provides a solution to those who crave the rich, savory taste of cheese while maintaining a healthy diet. By reducing salt content, low sodium cheese allows individuals with salt restrictions to enjoy their favorite dishes without compromising on flavor.

Additionally, low sodium cheese can contribute to better heart health. High levels of sodium in the diet can lead to increased blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of cardiovascular problems. By opting for low-salt cheese, individuals can still savor the cheesy goodness they love while supporting their cardiovascular well-being.

Moreover, low sodium cheese is a valuable source of essential nutrients. Cheese, even in its reduced sodium form, remains a significant source of protein, calcium, and vitamins. Protein is crucial for muscle growth and repair, calcium supports bone health, and vitamins aid various bodily functions. Incorporating cheese with a lower salt content into a balanced diet allows individuals to enjoy these nutritional benefits without the adverse effects of excess salt.

For whom is low sodium cheese recommended?

It is always important to consult a health professional before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have a specific medical condition.

There are different reasons why someone might follow a low-salt or salt-free diet. Some of the people who may benefit from this type of diet include:

1. People with hypertension or high blood pressure: Reducing salt intake can help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. People with kidney disease: A low-salt diet may be recommended for those with kidney disease or kidney filtration problems, as it helps to reduce the workload on the kidneys.
3. People with fluid retention: Salt restriction can help reduce fluid retention in the body, especially in cases of oedema or swelling.
4. People with liver disease: Some liver diseases can be aggravated by excessive salt intake, so a low-salt diet may be recommended.
5. People with certain heart disorders: Some heart disorders, such as heart failure, may benefit from a low-salt diet to reduce the workload on the heart.

Delicious other options than our Craxi Gouda cheeses for Salt-Restricted Individuals.

The availability of low sodium cheese has expanded significantly in recent years, providing a diverse array of options for individuals with salt restrictions. Here are some popular varieties.

Fresh mozzarella, this classic cheese, loved for its stretchy texture and mild flavor, is available in low-salt versions. Mozzarella is an excellent choice for pizza, lasagna, or Caprese salads.

Ricotta cheese, bakers make the tastiest pastries with it, pasta makers put it in their sauces. Moreover, ricotta is low in salt, sugar, and fat and rich in calcium and protein. Ricotta cheese is actually quite easy to make yourself at home!

Cheddar low sodium cheese can be enjoyed in sandwiches, omelets, or melted on top of a baked potato. It provides a flavorful addition to a range of dishes without excessive salt.

Swiss cheese known for its distinctive holes and nutty flavor is perfect for sandwiches and adds a delicious twist to cheeseburgers or quiches.

No-Sodium-Added cottage cheese is a creamy and versatile option, suitable for both sweet and savory preparations. It can be enjoyed on its own, mixed with fresh fruits, or used as a topping for salads and baked goods.

A salt-free diet does not have to be tasteless!

For individuals who are not allowed to eat salt, low sodium cheese offers a delectable solution that combines the pleasure of cheese with the necessity of maintaining a low-sodium diet. With a variety of options available, from Mozzarella to Swiss to our unsalted Gouda, individuals with salt restrictions can still enjoy the flavors and versatility of cheese while supporting their overall health. So, embark on a flavorful journey with low sodium cheese and discover a world of gastronomic possibilities while staying true to your health goals.

Unsalted small cheese wheels are available in our cheese shop in Málaga, Spain. They can also be ordered online through our webshop.

Do you have a question, please feel free to contact us via our contact form on the website or use the Whatsapp button on this page.

Location Craxi Gouda cheese shop: Address, Mercado de la Merced, Stall 14, Calle Merced, 4, 29012 Málaga, Spain.

Find us on Facebook, Craxi Queso.

Aged Dutch Gouda cheese.

For lovers of aged Gouda cheese!

Our aged Craxi Gouda cheese has matured for 12, 24 and 36 months. These 1, 2 and 3 year old cheeses are for foodies who love well-matured old cheese, with deep flavours and distinct aromas.

But it all starts with the cows and what they eat and the craftsmanship of the cheesemaker. The family farm in the Netherlands has been making authentic classic Gouda cheese in the traditional way for generations from the daily fresh untreated milk (raw milk) of cows.

Refining the cheese is also a craft. Ripening and caring for the cheese is the final phase and also takes place at the cheese farm. Only when the cheeses have reached the ideal ripeness and taste can they go on ‘holiday’ to our cheese shop in Málaga, Spain.

Aged Gouda cheese with salt crystals.

As Gouda ages, it develops what people popularly call ‘salt crystals,’ providing a pleasant crunchiness and serving as a sign that the cheese has reached perfect maturity for us.

What are those crunchy white crystals in aged Gouda cheese?

Crystals formed from protein, not salt as many believe, create the white dots seen in aged cheese. As the cheese matures, crystals of amino acids and calcium form from the protein. As the cheese matures, it dries out and acquires a more pungent taste.

When do protein crystals form in Gouda farmer’s cheese?

The formation of protein crystals during the ripening process starts between 8 and 10 months

Craxi Gouda farmer’s cheese is a Guaranteed Traditional Specialty. Our cheese farm in the Netherlands still produces our Craxi Gouda farm cheeses with raw cow’s milk in the traditional way, as has been done for hundreds of years.

What is the price for our 1 year old artisan Gouda farmer’s cheese?

It is also possible to order our 1-year matured artisanal Gouda cheese as indicated below. Price on request, please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to inform you.

What is the price for our 2 year old artisan Gouda farmer’s cheese?

It is also possible to order our 2-year matured artisanal Gouda cheese as indicated below. Price on request, please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to inform you.

What is the price for our 3 year old artisan Gouda farmer’s cheese?

It is also possible to order our 3-year matured artisanal Gouda cheese as indicated below. Price on request, please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to inform you.

Do you have a question, please feel free to contact us via our contact form on the website or use the Whatsapp button on this page.

You can find artisan Craxi Gouda cheeses at our cheese shop in Málaga, and you can also order them online through our webshop.

Location Craxi artisan Gouda cheese shop: Address, Mercado de la Merced, Stall 14, Calle Merced, 4, 29012 Málaga, Spain.

Find us on Facebook, Craxi Queso.

Craxi Cumin Gouda farmer’s cheese.

Raw milk cumin cheese made by cheese farmers.

Cheesemakers in the Netherlands produce various types of cumin cheese.

1. Factory-made cumin cheese (pasteurised milk)
2. Gouda farmer’s cheese with cumin (raw milk cheese)
3. Leyden cheese (raw milk cheese)

As you will understand from us we leave out factory cheese! Although we do not make Leyden cheese ‘only’ Gouda farmer’s cheese (Goudse Boerenkaas) with cumin we start with Leyden cheese (Leidse Kaas) because this cheese was the most important cheese in the Netherlands for centuries.

We can safely assume that the origins of the use of cumin in cheese began in the immediate vicinity of the city of Leiden in the Netherlands because, according to the annals, this cheese was first spotted in the Leiden market in the year 1303.

Why did this cheese become popular?

During that time, people regarded butter as the most significant and valuable dairy product. They considered Leiden cream butter, produced from raw milk, as the world’s tastiest. Even back then, they distinguished the butter by applying the Leiden keys as a guarantee of its origin and quality.

The high demand for this high-quality butter created a problem, namely a residual product ‘skimmed milk’ for which there was no really good use except mixing it with cattle feed. Initially, on some farms, cheese was made with skimmed milk but this flat-tasting low-fat (30+) cheese could not compete with full-fat (48+) Gouda farmer’s cheese.

When did this cheese with cumin seeds become popular?

Leyden cheese (Leidse Kaas) flourished during the time of the United East India Company (VOC, 1602-1800). The VOC’s spice trade brought many spices to the Netherlands including large quantities of cumin.

As cumin was now widely available, farmers started using cumin to enhance the taste of the cheese, which proved to be a successful combination. This cheese became successful not only for its taste but certainly also for its long shelf life due to its low-fat content (30+) which was important in a time without refrigeration and long sea voyages.

During the VOC period, Leyden cheese was a source of protein for the crew and its low-fat content made it long-lasting, did not sweat or melt in tropical temperatures. Because of these characteristics of the cheese, the VOC ordered some 3 million kilos annually.

In the heyday of the production of Leidse Kaas there were about 700 farmers making Leidse Kaas in the Netherlands in 2022 there are still 12.

How to recognise real traditional Leyden cheese & Gouda farmer’s cheese with cumin?

To distinguish the Gouda cheese, known for its yellow color, from Leyden cheese, the latter was intentionally given a red/brown hue. Additionally, Leyden cheese stands out with its one straight shoulder and one round shoulder, as Gouda cheese is exclusively permitted to have two round shoulders.

As a buyer, you can identify the unique Leyden cheese by the presence of a special logo with keys printed on the rind. This practice has been in place since the 17th century. On the other hand, you can recognize Gouda farmer’s cheese by the barrel-shaped cheese seal.

1. The European Union granted Leyden cheese the status of a protected regional product in 1997.
2. In 2007, Gouda farmer’s cheese received the designation by the European Union as a guaranteed traditional speciality.

Craxi Gouda farmer’s cheese with cumin.

Our cheese shop in Málaga offers the following varieties of raw milk Gouda with cumin, or you can order them from our webshop.

1. Mini Gouda wheel with cumin, wheel weight per piece 500 grams.
2. Baby Gouda wheel with cumin, wheel weight per piece 1 kilo.
3. Whole 12 kg Gouda wheel with cumin, a half wheel (±6 Kg), or a quarter wheel (±3 Kg).

If you have any further questions please contact us via the contact form.

In our cheese shop in Malaga, our range consists of our own cheeses but do you live in Spain and really miss the taste of Leidse Kaas? Feel free to contact us.

Location Craxi Gouda cheese shop. Address, Mercado de la Merced, Stall 14, Calle Merced, 4, 29012 Málaga, Spain.

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Craxi Gouda cheese with truffle.

Gouda farmer’s cheese with truffle.

This truffle cheese has a very distinct flavour that you should definitely have tasted and for true truffle lovers, it is most definitely an irresistible cheese.

The powerful and earthy aroma and flavor of truffle combined with raw milk gouda farmer’s cheese is a true taste explosion!

Raw milk farmer’s Gouda (48+) with delicious pieces of black summer truffle is perfect for a variety of delicious recipes or to treat your guests with a special cheeseboard. You will also only see happy faces if you serve this cheese as a dessert or with a good glass of wine.

Craxi gouda farm cheese is still produced according to a centuries-old tradition on the cheese farm in the Netherlands with fresh untreated milk, straight from the own cows. This makes Craxi gouda farm cheese a cheese that is officially recognised by the European Union as a Guaranteed Traditional Speciality.

This raw milk gouda truffle cheese can be ordered online as a small gouda wheel of 500 grams per piece.

Dutch farmer’s gouda with black summer truffle.

Truffle cheese pairs well with a variety of dishes and drinks. Its earthy and savory flavor profile makes it an excellent addition to many different recipes.

Here are some examples of dishes and drinks that truffle cheese complements.

• Pasta dishes: Grated over pasta dishes such as carbonara, fettuccine Alfredo, and mushroom risotto. The cheese adds a depth of flavor to the dish, making it even more delicious.
• Cheese & charcuterie boards: A great addition to any cheese or charcuterie board. It pairs well with cured meats like prosciutto and salami, as well as with olives and crackers.
• Burgers and sandwiches: Add some to your next burger or sandwich for an extra kick of flavor. It works particularly well with beef, chicken, and turkey.
• Wine: It pairs very well with full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. The combination of our raw milk truffle cheese and bold wine creates a very satisfying taste experience.
• Beer: It also pairs well with beer, particularly darker beers like stouts and porters. The richness of the cheese complements the malty and roasted flavors of these beers.

If you have any further questions please contact us via the contact form.

Just eat real raw milk Gouda farm cheese, not because we say so, but because it’s just so much tastier than pasteurised Gouda factory cheese!

Gouda farmer’s cheese from the Netherlands, made in a traditional and controlled way on the cheese farm with the raw milk of its own cows, has been designated a Guaranteed Traditional Speciality by the European Union.

Gouda farmer’s cheese with truffle is also available in our cheese shop in Malaga.

Location Craxi gouda cheese shop. Address, Mercado de la Merced, Stall 14, Calle Merced, 4, 29012 Málaga, Spain.

Shipping costs Spanish mainland.

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Craxi pesto cheese.

Green and red pesto Gouda farmer’s cheese.

Crafted from fresh, raw cow milk in the Netherlands, Craxi Gouda farmer’s cheese (48+) ensures the cheese boasts a full and rich flavor.

Craxi pesto cheese is a very flavorful Dutch farm cheese. This Gouda cheese will certainly enhance your dishes and parties, making it a real hit if you aim to surprise a cheese lover with a gift.

We create a robust herb flavor for both red and green pesto by blending selected herbs. This, combined with our artisanal farmer’s Gouda made from raw, unpasteurized cow’s milk, results in a delicious cheese.

These herb cheeses can be ordered online as small cheeses of 500 gr (mini gouda) and of 1 kilo (baby gouda).

Raw milk artisanal 48+ mini gouda & baby gouda with red pesto.

Dutch farmer’s cheese enriched with red pesto herbs consisting of chillies, pepper, basil, garlic, oregano leaf, and paprika.

Raw milk artisanal 48+ mini gouda & baby gouda with green pesto.

Dutch farmer’s cheese enriched with green pesto herbs consisting of basil, pepper, garlic, oregano leaf, and paprika.

If you have any further questions please contact us via the contact form.

Just eat real raw milk Gouda farm cheese, not because we say so, but because it’s just so much tastier than pasteurised Gouda factory cheese!

Our Craxi red & green pesto gouda farm cheeses are also available in our shop in Malaga City.

Location Craxi Gouda cheese shop. Address, Mercado de la Merced, Stall 14, Calle Merced, 4, 29012 Málaga, Spain.

Shipping costs Spanish mainland.

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Craxi gouda farm cheese.

Gouda farm cheese or factory-made gouda?

Only a small percentage of all the cheese we eat comes from cheese farms the rest is made in cheese factories. The good news is that there is a rising trend in the consumption of farm cheese!

One of the reasons is that more and more people are becoming aware of how their food is produced and what they are actually eating but a not entirely insignificant argument for why more and more people are switching to farm cheese is the taste sensation of real cheese.

The difference between Gouda farm cheese and factory-made gouda cheese.

The main difference between gouda farmer’s cheese and ordinary gouda cheese is the milk used for it. Gouda farmer’s cheese is made from fresh raw milk. Often from the same day. The bacteria still present in this ‘raw’ milk give farm cheese its characteristic, strong taste. With ordinary cheese (factory cheese), the milk is first pasteurised (heated), where all bacteria, both good and bad, are killed. In addition, farmer’s cheese is always made by hand. The milk used for farm cheese is not standardised as with factory cheese, so the cheese can vary from farm to farm, region to region, and even day to day and season to season.

Only Dutch Gouda farm cheese (Goudse boerenkaas) made in a traditional and controlled way may be called so. Dutch Gouda farm cheese is a product officially recognised by the European Union as a Guaranteed Traditional Speciality.

Craxi gouda farm cheese is a cheese that is actually made on the cheese farm in a traditional, artisanal way with fresh untreated milk, straight from the cows.

A Dutch traditional speciality, Craxi Gouda farm cheese.

The milk used for our farm cheese is not standardised as with factory cheese. The composition of the milk is different every day due to varying feed and the season, but through experience and craftsmanship, the artisan cheese maker has much influence on the quality and taste of the final product.

When you buy our Craxi cheese in our cheese shop in Malaga or via the website, you can be sure that you are buying real authentic gouda cheese. We keep the whole chain in one ‘hand’ from the start.

The ripening process of the cheeses also takes place on the farm. The ripening process is a special trade and there is certainly an art to ripening cheeses so that they excel in flavour to be proud of!

The cheese is transported directly from the farm by refrigerated transport to the cheese shop in Malaga.

Factory-made gouda cheese.

The milk used to produce factory cheese is not daily fresh. The milk comes from many different milk suppliers with quality differences between them. Therefore, it needs to be standardised in terms of fat and protein composition. At the cheese factory, the milk goes through a number of processes namely centrifugation, thermisation, bactofugation. Milk for factory cheese is then pasteurised.

Different types of cheese are produced in a cheese factory, so standardisation is necessary. When the milk is standardised, the fat content is also reduced. Fat is an essential component for the taste and flavour development of cheese.

Less salt in gouda farm cheese.

An added benefit besides the exquisite taste sensation is the salt content in gouda farmer’s cheese which is significantly lower than in gouda factory cheese.

• Gouda factory cheese has a salt content of about 3.5%.
• Gouda farmer’s cheese has a salt content of about 2%.

What is the reason why gouda farmer’s cheese has a lower salt content?

If you work with what we call dead milk, you have to pull a few tricks to get flavour to the cheese. One way to achieve this is to leave the cheese in the brine bath longer so that it can absorb more salt. That is the reason why factory-made gouda has a higher salt content.

If you have any further questions please contact us via the contact form.

Farm or factory cheese? Just eat real raw milk Gouda farm cheese, not because we say so, but because it’s just so much tastier than factory cheese!

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Craxi fenugreek cheese.

Craxi Gouda farm cheese with fenugreek.

A real taste sensation this handcrafted Gouda farmer’s cheese with fenugreek. This raw milk cheese has a sweet and nutty flavour with a subtle aroma reminiscent of freshly cut hay.

Fenugreek is a 60-90 cm tall plant. It has green leaves, small white flowers, and pods containing small golden-brown seeds. It is native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. The seeds are used in cooking, medicine and to mask the taste of medicines. It is used in food as an ingredient in spice mixtures and is also used as a flavouring in maple syrup imitation, beverages, and tobacco, and extracts are used in soaps and cosmetics. Fenugreek has a slightly sweet and nutty taste, similar to celery, maple syrup, and brown sugar.

You can order this delicious raw-milk Craxi cheese online in our webshop as freshly cut from a whole cheese wheel or as a baby or mini cheese wheel.

The price for our 4-6 months naturally matured artisanal gouda with fenugreek.

Fenugreek gouda farm cheese is freshly hand-cut after ordering and vacuum-packed for you at the Craxi cheese shop in Malaga from whole cheese wheels of 12 kilos.

Our prices for freshly hand-cut by weight of 500 grams and 1 kilo.

Small cheese wheels with fenugreek.

Also available as a small cheese wheel weighing 1 kilo (baby cheese wheel) or as a mini cheese wheel weighing 500 grams.

The price for a gouda farm cheese baby wheel.

The price for a gouda farm cheese mini wheel.

If you have any further questions please contact us via the contact form.

Just eat real raw milk cheese, not because we say so, but because it’s just so much tastier than pasteurised factory cheese!

Craxi Dutch Gouda farmer’s cheese is a Guaranteed Traditional Speciality (TSG).

Location Craxi gouda cheese shop. Address, Mercado de la Merced, Stall 14, Calle Merced, 4, 29012 Málaga, Spain.

Shipping costs Spanish mainland.

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