Amsterdam is one of the best places to eating cheese in the Netherlands.
Here you'll find a variety of recipes typical of the country.
However, not all places are good places to eat cheese.
Today, I'm talking in detail about what you need to know about Amsterdam cheese.
Amsterdam cheese: article summary
What makes Amsterdam cheese different?
Many European countries have a strong cheese culture, with recipes dating back generations and deeply rooted in local traditions and ingredients. The Netherlands is no different.
The province that is home to Amsterdam has extremely rich loamy soil. This provides the perfect fertilizer for the nutritious, moist grass on which the famous Friesian cows gorge themselves.
This perfect combination of factors is the secret of Dutch cheese's famous creaminess and strong flavor.
The different types of Dutch cheese
Before we get to the tips, let's take a look at the different types of cheese you can find in Amsterdam. You're probably familiar with Gouda, but there are actually many different types of Dutch cheese, including Edam, Limburger and Beemster.
Unlike in France, where you'll find many soft and spreadable cheeses, most Dutch cheeses tend to be made from a variety of cheeses. hard or semi-hard.
In the Netherlands, cheese is also classified by age, with Jong or Young being the creamiest and mildest flavor. Belegen has a slightly harder, nuttier taste, but remains fairly smooth and easy to slice.
As the cheese ages, it begins to develop crystals and a fairly strong flavor.
Flavoured cheeses
There are also a number of traditional cheeses flavored with herbs. Leidse kaas, from Leiden, is flavored with cumin seeds, giving it a pleasant, earthy taste. Nagelkaas gets its warm, spicy flavor from cloves.
Amsterdam cheese: a product to buy at the market
A visit to the market is a sure-fire way to familiarize yourself with Amsterdam's culinary culture, and cheese is certainly no exception.
Most markets have several stalls selling foreign and Dutch cheese. Try to get there early, when the market is not crowded, and you'll have time to ask questions.
If you're lucky, you'll even be able to taste the cheese! Top of the list is the Noordermarkt, an organic market open every Saturday in the heart of the city. Jordaan. It houses 6 cheese stands.
In the afternoon, you can stop off at the Lindenmarkt a few blocks away, where you're sure to find something to suit your taste.in one of the 232 stands.
Find your cheese in Amsterdam's cheese shops
Visiting a cheese factory is one of the best things you can do. They probably have more types of cheese in stock than a market stall, but can be a little more expensive.
One of the advantages of buying from a store is that they can usually vacuum-seal your purchase, ideal for bring a taste of Amsterdam to your home!
Enjoy a cheese tasting on the Kef terrace
Most of Amsterdam's cheese shops offer high-quality products, but two stand out in my mind. De Kaaskamer is a place you'll definitely smell before you see it. Their staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Fromagerie Kef focuses on French-style cheese, but also offers excellent products from Dutch farmers. With three locations in the city, they also sell excellent breads and wines to accompany your tasting.
They even offer cheese tastings with local beers at their store in Amsterdam Noord.
Take part in a cheese workshop in the Amsterdam forest
Ready to take your passion for cheese to the next level? You'll want to visit the Riddammerhoeve goat farm, home to Amsterdam's only cheese-making workshop!
This is the region's most famous small organic farm. There's a café and terrace on the grounds, and you can run around with the goats, sheep and chickens. Great for kids, especially as there's a playground built right in the middle.
Exceptional workshops at Riddamerhoeve farm
During the workshop, participants learn how to milk goats and sheep, and how to make their own goat's cheese in the cheese cellar.
After all this hard work, the newly christened cheese-makers are rewarded with a white wine and goat's cheese fondue. The whole thing lasts about three hours. They also have a store where they sell their own cheese, as well as other types of Dutch cheese.
If you're looking for cheese in Amsterdam, you're sure to find some delicious stuff. There are probably as many stores as there are varieties of Gouda! Here's to your return from your trip, don't forget to take some of your favorite cheese home for your friends.
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