Eichten's Cheese at Madeline's

Eichten's Cheese is a third-generation family farm in Center City, Minnesota. In 1976, Joe and Mary Eichten heard a radio announcement about a University of Minnesota pilot program for farmers who wanted to do more with their milk than ship it to the creamery. They joined, turned their dairy farm into a farmstead cheese plant, and became the first farm in the United States to make its own European-style cheeses.

The signature is Dutch-style Gouda, still made by hand in open vats the way it is done on farms in Holland. It comes plain and in a long list of flavors, from smoked, herb, and peppercorn garlic to wild rice, everything bagel, and a range of pepper Goudas. Alongside the Gouda is the farm's Danish-style Tilsit, a firmer, more robust cheese, plus gouda cheese spreads, cheese curds, and string cheese.

The Eichtens added a bison herd in 1987, and the operation has grown into a cheese, gift, and specialty-food business that ships nationwide. The cheeses below are the farmstead Goudas, Tilsit, spreads, and curds.

Eichten's Cheese products at Madeline's

A selection of Eichten's live, in-stock products at Madeline's is below. Click any product for full details and ordering.

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  Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). The flagship hand-made Dutch-style Gouda, slightly sweet and nutty. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Smoked Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda with a smoky flavor. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Peppercorn Garlic Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda studded with peppercorn and garlic. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Herb Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda blended with herbs. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Tomato Basil Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda with tomato and basil. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Wild Rice Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). A Minnesota take on Gouda made with wild rice. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Everything Bagel Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda seasoned with everything-bagel spices. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Hatch Pepper Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda with mild Hatch chiles. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Habanero Pepper Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). The hottest of the pepper Goudas, made with habanero. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Chipotle Pepper Gouda Cheese (from $6.50). Gouda with smoky chipotle pepper. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Tilsit Cheese (from $6.50). A firmer, more robust Danish-style cheese, an Eichten's specialty. Sold from wedges up to whole wheels.

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  Garlic Gouda Cheese Spread (8 oz) ($6.50). A spreadable Gouda with garlic, ready for crackers.

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  Smoked Gouda Cheese Spread (8 oz) ($6.50). A smoky spreadable Gouda.

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  Cranberry Gouda Cheese Spread (8 oz) ($6.50). A sweet-tart cranberry Gouda spread.

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  Hot Jalapeno Gouda Cheese Spread (8 oz) ($6.50). A spreadable Gouda with jalapeño heat.

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  White Cheese Curds (1/2 lb) ($6). Fresh, squeaky white cheddar curds.

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  Garlic Flavored Cheddar Cheese Curds (8 oz) ($6). Cheddar curds tossed with garlic seasoning.

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  Smoked String Cheese (8 oz) ($6). Smoked string cheese for snacking.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy Eichten's cheese?

You can buy Eichten's Cheese online at Madeline's (madelines.co), which carries the farm's Dutch-style Goudas, Danish-style Tilsit, gouda cheese spreads, cheese curds, and string cheese. The products listed above are live and in stock.

What is Eichten's known for?

Eichten's is a third-generation Minnesota farmstead cheese maker known for hand-made Dutch-style Gouda in many flavors and for Danish-style Tilsit. In 1976 it became the first farm in the United States to make its own European-style cheeses.

How is the Gouda made?

Eichten's Gouda is made by hand in open vats, the same method used on farms in Holland, and is offered plain and in flavors such as smoked, herb, peppercorn garlic, wild rice, and several pepper varieties.

What sizes does the Gouda come in?

The farmstead Goudas and Tilsit are sold in a range of sizes, from small wedges up to whole wheels, so you can buy a single snack portion or a large piece for a gathering.