Bushra Griffith
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese that originates from the Netherlands. Named after the town of Edam in North Holland, it has been a staple since the 15th century. Its distinctive shape and red wax coating make it one of the most easily identifiable cheeses in the world. The cheese is made using pasteurized cow's milk and is known for its mild, nutty flavour and smooth, firm texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own, added to sandwiches, melted in hot dishes, or used in salads. While the traditional farmer-style Edam cheese had a strong flavour, most modern Edam cheeses have a very mild flavour and almost no smell when compared to other cheeses. So, does Edam cheese smell like chlorine? The answer is likely no, as Edam cheese is known for its mild scent and taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Netherlands |
| Texture | Dense yet springy when young, becomes drier as it matures |
| Flavor | Mild, creamy, nutty, buttery, salty |
| Smell | Mild, almost no smell |
| Color | Pale yellow interior, red wax coating |
| Shape | Flat-ended spheres |
| Fat content | 28% milk fat |
| Additives/preservatives | Most versions have no additives or preservatives and are gluten-free |
| Production | Produced in Spain, North and South America |
| Popularity | Most common cheese in the Czech Republic and Indonesia |
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What You'll Learn
- Edam cheese is mild-flavoured, with a nutty, buttery taste and a smooth texture
- It is a semi-hard cheese, made from skimmed milk, originating from the Netherlands
- Edam cheese is named after the town of Edam in North Holland
- It is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, maturing and travelling well
- Edam is the most common cheese used in the Czech Republic and is quite popular in Indonesia
Edam cheese is mild-flavoured, with a nutty, buttery taste and a smooth texture
Edam cheese, a Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, is known for its mild, slightly nutty flavour and smooth, creamy texture. It is a semi-hard cheese that has been a staple in the region since the 15th century and is easily identifiable by its distinctive shape and red wax coating.
The cheese's lower fat content, around 28% milk fat, contributes to its mild flavour. "Young" Edam cheese has a very mild, slightly salty or nutty taste and almost no smell compared to other cheeses. Its texture is dense yet springy, with nutty, buttery undertones. As it ages, Edam's flavour intensifies, becoming sharper and more complex, with hints of sweetness and a salty finish. The texture also dries out and hardens as it matures, making it a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations.
Edam cheese is a versatile and popular ingredient, suitable for both snacking and cooking. It pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, peaches, melons, apricots, and cherries. Aged Edam is commonly enjoyed with traditional "cheese fruits" and savoury items like cured meats, olives, and bread. When melted, Edam adds a rich and creamy element to dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches or casseroles.
In addition to its culinary uses, Edam has a rich cultural significance. It is often associated with Dutch culture and is a staple in many traditional Dutch dishes. The cheese also ages and travels well, making it ideal for long journeys and remote colonies. This characteristic contributed to its popularity between the 14th and 18th centuries, when it was widely used at sea.
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It is a semi-hard cheese, made from skimmed milk, originating from the Netherlands
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has been made from skimmed milk since the 1800s. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century. Its distinctive shape—a flattened sphere with a slight bulge in the middle—and red wax coating make it easily identifiable. The red wax seals in moisture and gives it a distinctive appearance.
Edam is traditionally made from cow's milk, though some modern recipes may use goat's milk. It has a pale yellow colour and a rich cultural significance in the Netherlands, where it is often associated with Dutch culture and is a staple in many traditional dishes.
Edam has a mild, nutty flavour and a smooth, creamy texture. Its low-fat content, around 28% milk fat, contributes to its mild taste. When young, Edam has nutty, buttery undertones with a dense yet springy texture. As it ages, the texture becomes drier and the flavour intensifies, developing a sharper and more complex profile with hints of sweetness and a salty finish.
Edam ages and travels well, and its qualities made it the world's most popular cheese between the 14th and 18th centuries, especially at sea and in remote colonies. In the Mexican state of Yucatán, it is prepared as "stuffed cheese", while in Indonesia, it is quite popular due to historical ties with the Netherlands.
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Edam cheese is named after the town of Edam in North Holland
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, nutty flavour and a smooth, supple texture when young. As it ages, the flavour intensifies, becoming more robust and developing slightly nutty notes, hints of sweetness, and a salty finish. The maturation period can last from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the desired flavour intensity.
The cheese is easily identifiable due to its distinctive shape and red wax coating, which adds to its aesthetic appeal and helps retain its freshness and flavour. It is made using pasteurised cow's milk and has a fat content of around 28%, which is lower than other cheeses like cheddar, contributing to its mild flavour.
Edam cheese is versatile and can be used in various culinary preparations. It is commonly eaten on crackers and bread and pairs well with fruits like peaches, melons, apricots, and cherries when young. Aged Edam is often enjoyed with traditional "cheese fruits" such as pears and apples. It is also used in dishes from different countries, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic.
Today's Edam cheese is different from the traditional "farmer-style" Edam, which had a strong flavour. The modern version is softer and milder due to the use of skim milk since the 1800s, and it has largely replaced the traditional version.
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It is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, maturing and travelling well
Edam cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, maturing and travelling remarkably well. It is a semi-hard cheese that originated in the Netherlands, named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century. Its distinctive shape, red wax coating, and delightful, mild flavour have made it a beloved cheese worldwide.
The popularity of Edam cheese can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, its versatility in culinary applications makes it a favourite among cheese lovers. It can be melted on a burger, grated on pasta, or enjoyed on its own, adding a delightful touch to any dish. Secondly, Edam cheese has a long history, dating back to the 15th century, when it was produced and traded by local farmers in the markets of Amsterdam and neighbouring cities. Over time, it gained recognition and spread beyond the borders of the Netherlands.
Edam cheese also has a unique set of characteristics that contribute to its popularity. Its flavour is described as mild, nutty, and buttery, with a dense yet springy texture when young. As it ages, the flavour intensifies, becoming sharper and more complex, while the texture dries out. This ageing process gives Edam a long shelf life, making it ideal for travel and export. In fact, Edam was a popular choice for long sea voyages in the past, as it could mature and tolerate off-grid affinage in the hold of a ship.
The production process of Edam cheese is noteworthy for its simplicity and focus on flavour. Traditional Edam is made without additives or preservatives, and the use of natural animal rennet in the cheese-making process contributes to its distinctive taste. The cheese is then matured on wooden shelves for up to a year, allowing its flavour to develop further.
Today, Edam cheese is enjoyed in many parts of the world, including the Czech Republic, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Latin American countries. It is used in a variety of dishes, such as kaasstengels in Indonesia and queso de bola in the Philippines and Mexico. In the Czech Republic, it is commonly used as a base for smažený sýr, a popular fried cheese snack.
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Edam is the most common cheese used in the Czech Republic and is quite popular in Indonesia
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese that originated in the Netherlands, and is named after the town of Edam in the province of North Holland. It has been a staple in the region since the 15th century and was the world's most popular cheese between the 14th and 18th centuries, both at sea and in remote colonies. Edam is easily identifiable due to its distinctive shape and red wax coating. Its mild, slightly salty or nutty flavour, smooth texture, and almost no smell compared to other cheeses make it a versatile choice for culinary preparations.
In the Czech Republic, Edam is the most common cheese used, reflecting its widespread popularity in the region. While I could not find explicit information on why Edam is so common in the Czech Republic, its versatility, mild flavour, and ability to travel well without spoiling likely contribute to its popularity.
In Indonesia, Edam cheese is quite popular as well. It is often used as a topping for dishes such as roti bakar, kue cubit, and pannenkoek. The versatility of Edam cheese allows it to complement a variety of Indonesian dishes, enhancing their overall taste without overpowering other ingredients.
The popularity of Edam cheese in Indonesia and the Czech Republic can be attributed to its mild flavour, smooth texture, and adaptability to various culinary traditions. Its ability to travel well and age without spoiling may also have contributed to its widespread adoption in these countries.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Edam cheese has hardly any smell when compared to other cheeses.
Edam cheese has a very mild flavour, slightly salty or nutty. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a nutty undertone.
Edam cheese is made from cow's milk or goat's milk.
Edam cheese originates from the Netherlands and is named after the town of Edam in North Holland.
