After having painted a couple of the most beautiful and delicious Goudas, from Fromagerie L'Amuse in Amsterdam, I finally had the honor to meet Betty Koster, the woman with a magical touch that nurtures Gouda into gold. Years ago I fell in love with L'Amuse extra aged Gouda and then Brabander. The sold paintings became among my most popular prints afterwards. I mentioned this to Betty, who was most charming and generous to chat with when I met her at a crowded function, and she said "you should paint Black Betty". Naturally, I agreed but was twice as flattered when months later she sent word through Essex Cheese Co., reminding me she was not just being polite. *Since then the name for this cheese has been changed to "Brabander Reserve".

This masterpiece of a cheese is a goat gouda, like Brabander, and it'is like candy to me. It is an extra loved cheese; rather than aging it her normal 6-9 months, Black Betty gets an extended stay in the aging room (think fancy cheese spa). The wheels get the slightly warmer caves for another 6 months and then get dressed up in the sexy black wax to distinguish this firmer, sweeter and more rich flavor. This Gouda isn't just a diva, it's royalty and you don't question it once you get some of those pineapple, caramel and brown butter flavors. The once white paste of this extra-aged Brabander tans up luxuriously with age and is sparkling full of crystals to make one think of diamonds.

Well, I've gushed enough, if you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, you only have a small window of time to get this cheese. This cheese candy likes to show up late to the party (after Halloween) and is often all snapped up shortly after.

Country of Origin: Holland

Availability: sold