The first time I tried the Big Ed’s Gouda Cheese Spread was on a cheese tasting platter at a restaurant–don’t worry! This is not a restaurant review, just a cheese review. I’m merely introducing how it was initially presented to me. Which was like this:

Big Ed’s Gouda Cheese Spread came clumped together as a plump blob that was clearly soft. This dull yellow chunk of cheese was stark yet unassuming against a slate plate. On this platter, it did not come alone–the Big Ed’s Gouda Cheese Spread was served with two other cheeses, dried figs and apricots, fig preserves, and a baguette.

The initial bite I had of it, however, was alone. There was nothing there to compliment, only itself creamy. Its flavor announced themselves to my tastebuds. Think of cheddar cheese whip. Then image it as being Gouda-flavored and elevate it up. That is the Big Ed’s Gouda Cheese Spread. Basically a high-end cheese spread. But this was Gouda, so it had a definite umami edge to it. I love Gouda, so, of course, I loved this spread. It was the best of the three cheeses on the cheese-tasting plate I had because of its uniqueness: Gouda cheese spread? Now that’s something.

So alone it is great, but what really sealed how good it was was when it was combined with the fig preserves. The savory-sweetness of the fig preserve complimented the saltiness and umami of the spread and made this delectable mixture. I also spread it across the baguette.

If it wasn’t clear from my description of the cheese, I clearly loved it. I loved it so much that I picked up a container of it for eating later.

At home, I was able to try it with my go-to fig spread, the Dalmatia Fig Spread, a fig spread like the one I tried with it originally, but the Dalmatia had a sweet edge to it. It still paired wonderfully. Its appeal held on even when not presented on a nice plate and just eaten as part of a hacked-together meal. It’s just tasty.

Another obvious statement: I recommend the Big Ed’s Gouda Cheese Spread. Not your average cheese spread. It’s your above-average cheese spread.