Cheeses from Netherlands

A guide to cheeses from Netherlands, highlighting the country's most notable and diverse varieties.

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Gouda

Gouda is a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. It is typically made from cow's milk and aged to develop a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a smooth, firm texture. Young Gouda is mild and …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Sweet to nutty

Edam

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is recognizable by its typically red or yellow wax coating. Made from partially skimmed cow's milk, it has a mild, slightly salty flavor and a firm but creamy texture. Edam ages well and …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Rubber-textured to crystalline
Flavor: Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery

Maasdam

Maasdam cheese is the Dutch answer to Swiss cheeses, recognizable by its large holes and sweet, nutty flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a semi-soft texture. Maasdam matures faster than other holey cheeses like Emmental, developing its …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-hard
Flavor: Nutty, sweet

Leerdammer

Leerdammer is a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands, known for its sweet, nutty flavor and large holes, similar to Swiss cheeses. It has a creamy, smooth texture and a mild, slightly buttery taste. Leerdammer is popular in sandwiches and salads …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-hard
Flavor: Mild, nutty, sweet

Aged Gouda

Aged Gouda is a hard cheese from the Netherlands, known for its rich aroma and firm texture. It can be made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk and may be pasteurized or unpasteurized. The cheese has a yellow color and …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Hard

Boerenkaas

Boerenkaas is a traditional Dutch cheese made from unpasteurized milk, which can come from buffalo, cow, goat, or sheep. This semi-hard cheese has a smooth texture and is known for its buttery and tangy flavor. As a farmhouse cheese, Boerenkaas …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Buffalo's, cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-hard
Flavor: Buttery, tangy

Smoked Gouda

Smoked Gouda is a hard cheese originating from the Netherlands, known for its creamy texture and rich smoky flavor. It can be made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk, and either pasteurized or unpasteurized. The smoking process gives the cheese …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Hard

Boeren-Leidse met sleutels

Boeren-Leidse met sleutels is a traditional Dutch cheese made from skimmed cow’s milk, which results in a lower fat content. This hard cheese is seasoned with cumin seeds, giving it a distinctive spicy flavor. It features a firm texture and …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Hard and salty
Flavor: Sweetness from cumin seeds

Leyden (Leidse kaas)

Leyden cheese, also known as Leidse kaas or Boeren-Leidse, is a semi-hard cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk in the Netherlands. It is known for its spicy and tangy flavor, which comes from the addition of cumin seeds. The cheese …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, artisan
Flavor: Spicy, tangy

Kanterkaas

Kanterkaas is a traditional hard cheese from Friesland and the Westerkwartier in the Netherlands. It has a flat cylindrical shape with a sharp edge where the side meets the base and a rounded edge on top. The cheese comes in …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow
Texture: Firm to hard
Flavor: Pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age)

Parrano

Parrano is a hard cheese from the Netherlands, made from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a smooth, pale yellow appearance and is known for its mild and nutty flavor, which makes it a popular choice for those who enjoy a …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Hard, artisan
Flavor: Mild, nutty

Cow Milk Gouda

Cow Milk Gouda is a semi-hard cheese originating from the Netherlands, traditionally made from either pasteurized or unpasteurized cow's milk. It has a natural rind and is known for its caramel-like flavor with a hint of crunchiness. The cheese is …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, artisan
Flavor: Caramel, crunchy

Reypenaer VSOP

Reypenaer VSOP is a hard, artisan cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk in the Netherlands. It is known for its golden yellow color and rich flavors reminiscent of butterscotch and caramel. The cheese has a creamy texture despite its firmness, …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Hard, artisan
Flavor: Butterscotch, caramel, creamy

Kernhem

Kernhem is a soft cheese from the Netherlands, made from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a fat content of 60%, giving it a rich and creamy texture. The flavor profile is mild, with nutty and sweet notes that make it …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Soft
Flavor: Mild, nutty, sweet

Dutch Mimolette (Commissiekaas)

Dutch Mimolette, also known as Commissiekaas, is a hard, artisan cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. This cheese is characterized by its vibrant orange color and natural rind. It has a fruity flavor and aroma, offering a pleasant taste experience. …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Hard, artisan
Flavor: Fruity

Goat Gouda

Goat Gouda is a semi-hard cheese made from pasteurized goat's milk, originating from the Netherlands. It has a pale yellow color and an artisan texture that is firm yet slightly creamy. The flavor is tangy, offering a pleasant contrast to …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Goat's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, artisan
Flavor: Tangy

Texelse Schapenkaas

Texelse Schapenkaas is a semi-hard, artisan cheese from the Netherlands, made from unpasteurized sheep's milk. This cheese has a strong flavor, reflecting the rich pastures of its origin. Its texture is firm yet slightly creamy, making it a satisfying option …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, artisan
Flavor: Strong

Doolin

Doolin is a hard cheese made from cow's milk in the Netherlands. It has a firm texture that makes it ideal for slicing or grating. The flavor is rich and nutty with a hint of sweetness, providing a satisfying taste …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Hard

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