What characteristic is associated with oud (old) Gouda cheese compared to jong Gouda?
Answer
The texture becomes crumblier and develops crunchy tyrosine crystals.
The primary differentiator between young (*jong*) and old (*oud*) Gouda cheese is the aging process, which dramatically alters the texture and flavor intensity. Young Gouda is semi-hard, smooth, and mild, making it an excellent choice for simple applications like sandwiches. As the cheese ages to the *oud* designation, the moisture content decreases significantly, leading to a firmer and crumblier texture. Furthermore, the aging process causes flavor compounds to crystalize, resulting in the characteristic small, crunchy tyrosine crystals embedded within the intensified flavor profile of the old cheese.

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