Leerdammer
Leerdammer is a Dutch semi-hard cow's milk cheese with distinct holes and a sweet, nutty flavor. Launched in 1977, it was built to match Emmental in look and taste, and it ages about 3 to 12 months.
Michiel1972, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key Facts
| Country of Origin | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Netherlands |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized |
| Rind | Natural |
| Texture | Semi-hard |
| Flavor | Mild, nutty, sweet |
| Colors | Pale yellow |
| Age | 3 to 12 months |
What is Leerdammer Cheese?
Leerdammer comes from the Netherlands and takes its name from the city of Leerdam. Cees Boterkooper, who had run a small dairy in Schoonrewoerd since 1914, met Bastiaan Baars, who kept a cheese shop in a nearby village, in 1970. The two set out to make a cheese that could compete with Gouda and Edam. It launched in 1977.
It is made from cow's milk and aged around 3 to 12 months. Specific bacteria in the cheese give off carbon dioxide gas during ripening, and the bubbles left behind become the holes, also called eyes.
The paste is pale yellow with a creamy texture. Flavor is sweet and somewhat nutty, and it gets stronger the longer the cheese ages. Advertising has used the slogan "De lekkerste kaas tussen de gaten", meaning the tastiest cheese between the holes.
The name is a trademark of Bel Leerdammer B.V. Bel Group produced the cheese exclusively until 22 March 2021, when it handed the brand and related assets to Lactalis in exchange for most of the shares Lactalis held in Bel, with Lactalis keeping a 0.9% stake. Factories operate in Schoonrewoerd in the municipality of Leerdam, in Dalfsen in the province of Overijssel, and in France. It reaches supermarkets in Europe, Russia, and the US. Cheese made in the same style without the name is sold as Maasdam.
How Does Leerdammer Cheese Compare?
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