Five Unknown Dutch Cheese You Have to Taste in The Netherlands

Beyond the famous names, there are a host of unknown Dutch cheeses you have to taste that you won't find outside the Netherlands. For a truly authentic experience, this article will talk you through the options you can eat while enjoying a canal cruise in Amsterdam or sitting out in the sunshine with a picnic in Rotterdam.

Graskaas

Graskaas translates into 'grass cheese' and is produced from the first milking of cows led to pasture having spent the winter months indoors. Typically matured for just one month before being made available at the start of the summer, this is the ideal choice if you enjoy creamy cheese and comes with a mild flavor and is the perfect accompaniment to wine or port.

Leidse Kaas

Leyden cheese, known as Leidse kaas in the Netherlands, is made from cow's milk and produced in the Leiden area, a city located in the province of South Holland. Round and flat like Gouda but with sharp edges on one side, this cheese is the most common type to include cumin as an ingredient.

In the past, farms produced butter but it could spoil quickly and the by-product of semi-skimmed milk was of limited value and fed to calves. Therefore, this milk was instead used to create low-fat cheeses which could be preserved better at higher temperatures, than full-cream cheese. Leidse Kaas has a rich cumin taste and is also low when it comes to the calorie count. It is best enjoyed on its own or with hard crackers accompanied by wine.

Rommedoe/Limburger Kaas

This cheese has a long history and has been created since way back in the 15th century. Made from raw cow's milk, this product is created in ripening cellars found in the countryside and has a pale yellow inside with a reddish-brown coating. As the cheese ages during ripening, it becomes stronger smelling and goes from sweet to a more spicy taste.

A great way to enjoy Limburger cheese is to spread it on a sandwich. Forming a great pairing with rye bread and onion, it can be served with strong black coffee or even lager.

Boerenkaas

Boerenkaas is unique in the sense that it can be made from raw milk from a range of animals including cows, sheep, goats, and even buffalo. This Dutch cheese, known as 'farmers cheese' is created manually and its name has been protected by the European Union as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed since 2007.

This cheese is produced using unpasteurized milk, with rennet added when it reaches optimum temperature. The curd is then cut after half an hour and water is added to it. This mixture is then stirred very slowly for another half an hour before the curds are added to the molds, left for 15 minutes and then the veins are well pressed. Salt is then sprinkled and the cheese is then immersed in brine for any time between one and six days. Once mature, the cheese is then ready to be consumed and goes perfectly with a rich wooded chardonnay.

Texelse Schapenkaas 

Another historic creation, Texel sheep cheese has been created since the mid-1500s. This type of cheese is made only in the summer months using unpasteurized milk from sheep that graze close to their farm and are milked daily.

This cheese has a strong taste but it is not acidic and can be enjoyed at a variety of establishments including Restaurant BOSQ which is situated between the villages of Den Hoorn, Den Burg and De Koog in Texel which is in the north of the Netherlands. The cheese is often sampled with pancakes which is really tasty.

Where to Find Great Cheese in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is home to a wide range of farms producing cheese all year round while there are also great cheese markets to visit in towns and cities across the country including Alkmaar, Hoorn, Woerden and, of course, Gouda. Such venues provide locals and tourists alike with a great opportunity to try different cheeses they simply won't find anywhere else. What's more, you can enjoy a range of these products while on canal cruises, boat trips or picnics as you visit various landmarks. 

Summing Up

The Netherlands is famous for producing amazing and tasty cheese and a trip to the country is the perfect way to sample some of the best and most unique ones. Dating back centuries, the traditions of the past have been maintained to produce cheese which is delighting people in every corner of the world in the present day.

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