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I've been trying to track the origins of Gouda and other washed curd cheeses form the Netherlands. I keep seeing that Gouda cheese was first mentioned in 1184, but none of the sites says where it is mentioned. Anybody have a lead?
Dave in CT

I don't know if this is much help, but Gouda, Edam and Alkmeer were the premier towns awarded 'weighing rights' (like 'market rights' granted in Britain to certain towns to have seasonal fairs/markets that brought in money and trade).  The names of the cheeses came from the town's name.  Are you asking about the origins of washed curd cheeses or just Dutch-style?  It would be nice if you referenced the sources that you've found for the date.

The date I have is from the websites of the cities of Alkmeer and Gouda, but they don't attribute the original source.