The Dutch Love for Cheese
Did you know that the average annual cheese consumption per person in the Netherlands is 14.3 kg? That’s more than six times the average consumption in Japan!
Wow! Dutch people eat more than 1 kg of cheese per month!
Cheese is a staple in the Dutch diet, just like potatoes. It appears in cheese fondues, cheesecakes, snacks, sandwiches, pasta dishes, oven-baked meals, salads, and even crepes!
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Cheese Trivia Part 1
Even cheeses from the same brand can taste different depending on their aging process. Here are three common categories:
Jonge: Young cheese
Aged for 2 months
Soft, creamy, and mild in flavor.Belegen: Aged cheese
Aged 8 months
Slightly firmer with a hint of saltiness.Oude: Old cheese
Aging 2-3 years
Crumbly, with a strong, salty taste and a rich aroma.
8 Popular Dutch Cheeses
The Netherlands is one of the world’s largest cheese exporters, producing a variety of delicious cheeses. Many are named after the region where they were first made, and their flavors can differ depending on the local production methods.
Gouda
The most popular Dutch cheese, Gouda, accounts for 60% of the country’s total cheese production.
Named after the town of Gouda, near Rotterdam, this cheese has a creamy, mild flavor.
It’s perfect for sandwiches, cheese fondues, and even cheesecakes.
Edam
Edam cheese is moist, soft, and has a lighter taste compared to Gouda.
With moderate saltiness and a fragrant flavor, it’s often used as grated cheese.
It originated in the town of Edam, which had a bustling cheese market from the 16th to 20th century.
Maasdam
Though Maasdam is a Dutch cheese, it is inspired by Swiss Emmental.
It has a softer texture than Swiss cheese and is known for its large holes, formed due to its rapid maturation process.
This cheese is commonly used in pizza and cheese fondue.
Old Alkmaar
Hailing from Alkmaar, another famous cheese city, Old Alkmaar cheese is available in different aging periods: 10 months, 15 months, and 36 months.
The longer it matures, the stronger and saltier it becomes.
Old Amsterdam
Aged for 18 months, Old Amsterdam is a rich, smooth, and flavorful cheese.
It strikes a perfect balance between saltiness and creaminess, making it a favorite among cheese lovers.
Beemster
Beemster cheese is a royal favorite, made in Beemster polder, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The cows here graze on mineral-rich grass, giving the cheese a naturally sweet and rich taste that pairs excellently with beer.
Leiden
Leiden cheese is a low-fat cheese made from buttermilk or skimmed milk.
It has a refreshing taste, thanks to the cumin seeds added during production. This spiced cheese is a unique Dutch specialty.
Geiten Kaas
Geitenkaas is Dutch goat cheese, available in two types: soft and fresh, or semi-hard, similar to Gouda.
Due to its strong aroma, people either love it or dislike it.
Cheese Trivia Part 2
Kaas is cheese!
The Dutch word for cheese is “kaas“. It’s a useful word to remember when ordering food in cafes and bakeries!
In most Dutch bakeries and cafes, Gouda cheese is the standard cheese used in sandwiches. If another cheese is used, the name will be specified on the menu.
Where to Buy Cheese in the Netherlands
For the best prices, supermarkets are the cheapest option. However, they don’t offer free tasting samples.
A better option is to first visit a cheese souvenir shop, where you can sample different varieties before purchasing. For rare and specialty cheeses, local cheese shops are your best bet. They can also vacuum-pack cheese for you, making it easy to bring home as a souvenir.
My personal favorites are Beemster and Old Amsterdam. Try different kinds and find your favorite Dutch cheese!
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