What types of cheese are there?
Dutch cheese is a favourite delicacy of many people around the world. Dutch cheese has a long tradition and a unique flavour that few other cheeses can match. Dutch cheese is made using different types of milk, ranging from cow’s milk to goat’s milk, giving it a rich, creamy flavour that cannot be matched.
There are countless varieties of Dutch cheese, all with their own unique flavour. Gouda cheese is perhaps the most well-known Dutch cheese and is often served as a snack or with a meal. This mild cheese has a slightly sweet taste that is appreciated by many people. Other popular types of Dutch cheese include Edam cheese, Old Amsterdam cheese and Leerdammer cheese. These cheeses all have their own specific flavours that go perfectly with all kinds of dishes.
Moreover, there are also many special types of Dutch cheeses that you can only find in certain parts of the country. For example, Limburgs-Zuivelkaas is a spicy, peppery type of cheese that can only be found in Limburg. There is also Amsterdam North Sea cheese, which is a spicy and salty variety found in Amsterdam. There are also other special types of Dutch cheeses such as Boerenkaas, Maaskantje Kaas and Boerenmetworstkaas, each of which has its own typical taste and texture.
How are the cheeses made?
One of the reasons why Dutch cheese tastes so good is the way it is made. Dutch cheese makers traditionally use artisanal techniques to produce their product, which means there are fewer chemical ingredients in their product than many other industrial production systems. This results in a unique flavour that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In addition, the milk is processed with care before being made into the various types of Dutch cheese; especially when goat or sheep milk is used to achieve the best results. This makes the Dutch proud of their cheese speciality!
The location where production takes place also plays a part in this; a lot of milk composition depends on how much groundwater is present at the location where the milk producer operates. This groundwater directly influences the consistency of the milk and therefore the final flavour of the Dutch cheese. As a result, each Dutch cheese variety can be unique in taste, depending on where it was produced!
Finally, the ripening process also plays an important role in making delicious Dutch cheese; this process often takes several months and differs for each type of cheese made. By applying this process, one can create special aromas in the cheese type; this creates even more variation in flavours within one type or variety of Dutch cheese!
Where can I buy the best cheese?
So, as you can read, there is a lot involved in making a real Dutch cheese. In many cheese specialty shops and delicatessens, they will have a range that allows you to enjoy a special delicacy. These days, you can also order certain cheeses online so you can have them delivered to your home. Always make sure that the shop or webshop you are going to order from has good reviews, though. That way, you can be sure that you can order there with confidence and that you will receive an authentic cheese and not a fake product.
Conclusion
We can conclude that there are many different kinds and types of Dutch cheese specialities; each with their own unique flavours, textures and aromas. Thanks to traditional techniques such as artisanal production methods, optimal locations for milk production and an extensive ripening process, they always manage to make a top-quality product. Cheese lovers around the world adore these cheeses and, as a result, some cheeses are scarce and therefore expensive. Therefore, if you are going to spend a good amount of money on a special cheese, read up on it beforehand and pay attention to where you buy it so you can have the ultimate moment of enjoyment!
