Marieke Holy Trinity Raw Gouda (Costco) Review
Author’s Note: These are my own cheesy opinions. I have no affiliation with Marieke or Costco. This is NOT a paid review.
Yes, “the pope” is included in this Cajun-inspired cheese.
I am a fan of raw milk cheeses. It’s hard to describe, but they have a sweeter, fuller, more complex flavor than pasteurized cheeses. I was thrilled to find this Marieke Holy Trinity Mélange Raw Gouda at my local Costco. The label describes it as “Cajun Inspired” and lists seasonings like green pepper, garlic, chives, and celery. Take my money.
What does it taste like?
Well, firstly, it doesn’t have a strong spiced/seasoned flavor. In fact, the garlic, peppers, and onion taste is extremely mild. Just a pleasant, savory hint behind the creamy dairy. I think the bell pepper is the most distinct seasoning. Mostly, it tastes like flavorful cheese. There are textural pieces of the vegetables and herbs that add to the experience, but they are soft and … subtle. I’m a lover of strong flavors, so I would have enjoyed a brisker kick of seasonings. But, this is still yummy. More about the ingredients later.
Unlike the Artikaas Dutch Gouda I previously reviewed, Marieke’s rendition is much firmer. This might be due to the longer aging process — the label says it is aged over 60 days. Indeed, this is slightly “sharp” for a gouda. It’s creamy and buttery-smooth, but has a distinct tangy bite. It almost tastes like a cross between a cheddar and a gouda, if that’s your jam.
Marieke’s Gouda is sold in natural wedges with a flexible, waxed rind. It was easy to peel the thin wax off the cheese. Predictably, the gouda is firmer near the rind, and substantially softer towards the center of the wheel — not quite “spreadable,” but perhaps “open minded.”
Honestly, this is the first raw milk cheese I’ve seen at Costco so far. I hope there are more unpasteurized cheese options in the future. Make it so!
How did I eat my Marieke Gouda cheese?
I added this to my scrambled eggs, along with some sliced Wild Wonders tomatoes (also from Costco). Because the gouda is firmer, it doesn’t melt quickly, and when it does, it is a firm kind of melty, not soft or stretchy. It reminds me a little bit of the texture of parmesan when you melt it. It has enough sharp flavor to stand up to other ingredients and not get lost.
But, mostly, I snacked on this cheese. It is highly snackable. It’s addicting. Beware.
What is Holy Trinity Mélange?
According to Wikipedia, “The holy trinity is the Cajun and Louisiana Creole variant of mirepoix” and traditionally includes onions, bell pepper, and celery. Sometimes garlic is included, which is called “adding the pope.” I love you, Louisiana.
Wait, is raw milk cheese safe to eat?
Most cheese in the US is made from pasteurized milk, due to concerns over Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and other germy (or even “bird flu”) contamination. However, there are FDA regulations in the United States that allow limited preparations of raw milk cheeses to be sold for human consumption. Although the FDA still recommends avoiding raw milk products, they allow the sale of unpasteurized cheeses that are aged at least 60 days and clearly labeled as “raw milk.” Use your own discretion.
About Marieke Gouda
Well, they call their barn a “cow spa.” So, that’s probably all you need to know.
Just kidding. Marieke is located in Wisconsin, and specializes in what they call “true farmstead” gouda cheese using “an old world technique.” The founder was originally a Dutch native, who studied cheesemaking in the Netherlands. This is a comparatively young company, hatching their first cheese batch in 2006. Am I allowed to say “hatching”? Well, I just did. Anyway. They have awards. Cheese awards. Lots of them. Two hundred and seventy-three awards. Yikes.
Ingredients in Marieke Holy Trinity Mélange Raw Gouda
Here are the ingredients, from the label:
- Raw Cow’s Milk
- Green Bell Pepper
- Onion
- Celery
- Chives
- Garlic
- Cultures
- Enzymes
- Salt
Unlike Artikaas Gouda, these ingredients list “enzymes,” not rennet. If that matters to you.
More information from the label:
- Raw Milk Aged Over 60 Days
- Keep Refrigerated
- Proudly Wisconsin Cheese
Nutrition Facts in Raw Gouda from Marieke Cheese
A serving is a predictable 1-ounce, and contains 100 calories. You get 8 grams of fat (of which 6 grams are saturated fat) and 7 grams of protein. There’s 0 grams sugars, and 7% your daily value of sodium. Happily, you’ll also get a slice of calcium, with 15% your daily value per serving.
Price and Servings
The 12-ounce block cost $6.99 at my local Costco. Since there are 12 servings per package, each serving costs 58 cents.
Shelf Life
The “best by” date on my package allowed about 9 months to consume.
Dramatic Conclusion
I loved the raw milk flavor of Marieke’s gouda. However, it wasn’t what I expected for “Cajun flavor” — the seasonings are delicately mild. If you love cheddar, you will probably appreciate the way this firm, aged gouda straddles “gouda” and “cheddar” texture. It’s fairly priced, especially for a raw-milk specialty cheese. I would buy it again. I hope to see more unpasteurized cheese options at Costco.
The End.
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