Bonnie: Gouda cheese is named after the eponymous city in the Netherlands, but all Gouda is not Dutch. Unlike Gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Roquefort cheeses, the name Gouda is not protected so cheese named Gouda can be made and sold anywhere in the world. That’s untrue of the others. For instance, only cheese produced in specific Italian provinces may be labeled Parmigiano-Reggiano.

This Beemster Gouda though, is Dutch. It’s an aged Dutch Gouda. Beemster is the Gouda I’d purchase in cheese stores when in the Netherlands visiting Eric (who went to university there).

The BeemsterLite that we’re recommending here contains a third less fat than Beemster’s regular Gouda, but has all the delicious flavor. In fact, I’d suggest serving it to guests on a cheese platter and would bet no one would guess the cheese was low in fat.

When serving cheeses, offer a variety of flavors and textures. On a platter with a young, fresh cheese like a chévre (goat cheese), a blue cheese and a hard aged cheese like this BeemsterLite, no one will be the wiser that the fat is missing from this aged Dutch Gouda. It’s made from the milk of cows that graze below sea level… rich and creamy… still made using artisan techniques. It also has 20 percent less salt than other Dutch cheeses.

As with all cheeses, enjoy at room temperature for maximum flavor.

Bryan: That’s a Gouda cheese! Say it like you’re trying to imitate Lenny from “Of Mice and Men,” and you’ve got your Dutch accent down. No, really, I took two years of Dutch. It really does sound like the Swedish chef from the Muppets. Sorry Netherlands, nothing personal; it’s just that sometimes Dutch sounds like honking geese to me. What can you do?

So, is Beemster another type of cheese you’ve got to learn about? No, don’t get overwhelmed; it’s just the most popular brand of Gouda in the Netherlands. We’ve heard of Gouda before, right? Well, if you need a quick refresher…

Though the term “Gouda” is now universal, the cheese was originally developed in the Dutch province of Gouda. Within the Netherlands itself, a number of varieties exist, with classifications generally based on age; older cheeses are harder and saltier, while younger products are soft and creamy.

So, why is Beemster so popular? Well, Beemster cows graze below sea level! Beemster pastures are actually located 20 feet below sea level. North Holland is famous for its unparalleled pasturelands, as the area was reclaimed from the sea. Rare blue sea clay lines the pastures, containing unique minerals that give the milk a sweeter and softer milk fat, and give the cheeses a softer and creamier texture.

Beemster cheese is made by traditional methods; aged on wooden boards, Beemster cheese wheels are hand turned, inspected and polished every day for up to 26 months to ensure an absolutely perfect product.

Not into all that fat? Well, BeemsterLite is the perfect alternative. This matured cheese has an overwhelmingly rich taste, considering it has 33 percent less fat than regular Gouda cheeses! Softer and creamier than other Beemster cheeses, the “Lite” is aged for only five months, rounding that perfect creamy sensation with just a bit of salty bite. Perfect — minus one-third the guilt.

Eric: Low-fat cheese? What’s next, guilt-free chocolate? Yes, I lived in the Netherlands for four years, and yes, while doing so I became a strong advocate of two things: mayonnaise and pindasaus (peanut sauce) on my fries, and Gouda cheese on all my sandwiches.

The Netherlands might be known worldwide for its liberal view of marijuana, but most nationals will surely argue that their real addiction is to the Gouda. They use it on sandwiches, stuff their appetizers with it and simply eat it in cubes. The best part: It’s sold in the same style most deli meats are sold in this country – weighed, sliced and packaged right in front of you.

Now I’ve never been worried about the fat content when I indulge in cheese; I figure it comes with the territory. I also always imagined that if you reduce the level of fat, the corollary would be a loss of taste — but that is not the case with BeemsterLite. Beemster is the cheese of the Netherlands, and the “Lite” version is no joke. The Dutch have somehow managed to create a low(er)-in-fat cheese without compromising the taste.