Gouda News

July 5, 2022

7 New Items You Shouldn’t Miss at The Greater Gouda

Food and supply shortages may have you down. But that doesn’t mean The Greater Gouda isn’t getting new, delicious items into the shop each week. Looking for something new? Here are seven treats we’ve recently added:

 

1. Butter Beer. For you the little (or big) witches and wizards in your house, try Virgil’s Butter Beer – a creamy, nonalcohilic, butterscotch soda. Be warned, it is very sweet. Want to make it more special? In a tall glass, pour it over a scoop of Jeni’s Salty Caramel or Dairy-Free Caramel Pecan Stick Bun Ice Cream for a Caramel Butter Beer Float! Try topping with whipped cream (see below) and drizzling it with some Tipsy Butterscotch for more adult decadence.

 

2. Tasso Ham. This ham is used sparingly to season Jabalaya, Gumbo, Red Beans and other cajun dishes – or anything else you want to add a bit of salt and lots of kick to.  Try a bit in scrambled eggs.  But – Oo-Wee, be careful. The main spice on it is Cayenne Pepper.  Spice up your life!

 

 

3. Snowville Cream. Organic Cream from southern Ohio produced by a heard of 100% A2 cows. A2 diary products has been found to be easier to digest than the more typical one containing both A1 and A2 proteins. This cream is great for whipping, using in sauces, or just add some to your coffee. It’s so popular, we’re already sold out. But don’t worry, it should be back in stock by next Wednesday!

 

4. Homegrown Beer Cheese & Bourbon Popcorn. Check out this combination of sweet, bourbon glazed popcorn with delicate popped kernels covered in beer cheese seasoning for a flavor that’s like a grown-up version of Chicago Popcorn. This is a sweet and salty treat from Ashland, Ohio you shouldn’t miss.

 

 

5. Ubriaco Pinot Rose. You might guess from the name that this hales from Italy, but it’s not a wine – it’s cheese. The semi firm, slightly sharp wheel gets soaked in a sparkling rose making it dance in your mouth. You can almost taste the bubbles! And for a special treat, it’s topped with dried rose petals. Pretty and delicious!

 

6. Spicy Margarita Mixer. When the Westerville-based folks who make Ridiculously Good Salsa asked me to try their new Spicy Margarita Mix, I was intrigued but skeptical. I mean, their salsa is fantastic and margaritas pair well with chips and salsa, but Spicy Margarita? Wow, this stuff is even better than the salsa, if that’s possible. The delicate sweetness of agave nectar, the light, flavorful spice of jalapenos and other peppers, married into lime juice. Whether mixed with a good tequila or with Lemon Lime soda, this is my new favorite beverage! So refreshing!

 

7. Pineapple Coconut Margarita Mixer. What? Another margarita mixer?  Yes, that makes three with our traditional one from Stonewall, but they are each very different. This one takes the beloved drink in a different direction – to the tropics. Pineapple juice and coconut, both big, bold flavors are used in just the right proportion to flavor but not overwhelm the lime-based mixer. We didn’t expect anything other than perfection from Columbus-based Simple Times.  Now my only question is, which margarita to have!

 

And a BONUS!  We also just got in a wonderful collection of flavored salts from Feeding Francis Salt Co. The Tequila Lime Sea Salt is perfect for … you guessed it … rimming the lip of your favorite margarita!

Enjoy the long lazy days of summer.

 

If you have a product you’d like to see us carry, let us know and we’ll see what we can do!

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April 15, 2021

Greater Gouda Customer Data Secure after Mercato Breach

The technology news site, TechCrunch.com, reported Wednesday afternoon that grocery delivery company Mercato exposed over 70,000 customer orders in a January breach, including home and email addresses. A Mercato official told TechCrunch the breach did not include credit card information.

The Greater Gouda, which began using Mercato in March 2020 for online grocery ordering and home delivery, does not believe any of its customers were affected. According to TechCrunch, the affected orders occurred between September 2015 and November 2019, before The Greater Gouda’s relationship with Mercato had begun.

“We’re outside the affected timeframe, but it’s still serious,” Greater Gouda owner Mark Smiles said. “The fact that Mercato hasn’t notified those who were affected nor contacted us to say it is on top of this issue is very concerning.”

Smiles said The Greater Gouda was actively seeking an alternative to Mercato’s service prior to news of the data breach. For now, customers who are uncomfortable using Mercato are encouraged to call-in their orders directly to The Greater Gouda instead.

“Mercato started off with good service during last year’s lockdown when grocery delivery was at its peak,” Smiles said, “but their reliability has been falling off ever since.”

He said The Greater Gouda has delivered many orders using its own staff to ensure customers receive them, even though that’s Mercato’s job under the contract.

“We hope to move our grocery ordering and delivery to a platform similar to our online gift and wine sales,” Smiles said, “but it’s hard to find platforms that will work with small grocery and food markets.”

Smiles doesn’t have a timetable yet for the change in platforms, but said, “It’s important. We have to take care of the customers. They’re our priority.”

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