Like all of our cheeses, Trader Joe’s Caramel Washed Gouda begins with milk that comes from cows that have never been treated with rBST. But that’s not the only way these cows are coddled. Their farmer—who oversees an idyllic estate in the picturesque Twente region of The Netherlands—gives his bovines carte blanche to roam, from stable to clover-laden fields. Content cows supply marvelous milk, which yields exceptional cheese. Of course, the farmer’s authentic recipe and artisanal methods don’t hurt, either! We could stop at great Gouda, but there’s more… This fresh-made cheese is hand-washed in caramel—yes, caramel! As the curds mature over the next five months, the rind develops an appealing, chestnut-brown color. Meanwhile, on the inside, the aging cheese absorbs some of the caramel character, producing a mildly sweet flavor.