The Gouda I buy is a 10 pound or so wheel covered in red wax. Under the red wax is a bright yellow waxy rind. Should I remove the inside(yellow) rind before smoking?
Original Post
All wax should be removed before smoking. Keep in mind that in the process of making gouda there is a brining stage that forms a natural rind on the cheese. But any wax rind should be removed. My guess is your cheese has been double waxed since you said it was a "bright" yellow. The natural rind is just dull off white to yellow in color.