Kamil Perry
Beemster Cheese is a traditional Dutch cheese, crafted in the Beemster Polder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Holland. The cheese is made with milk from cows and goats that graze on the region's nutrient-rich and mineral-dense grasses, which gives the milk a sweet, rich, and creamy flavour. Beemster Cheese is known for its award-winning taste and unique texture, but is it lactose-free? Lactose is a sugar found in milk, and lactose intolerance affects an estimated 40 million Americans, causing unpleasant symptoms such as stomach cramps and bloating. Most Beemster cheeses are naturally lactose-free due to the cheesemaking process, which includes adding edible acids and probiotics, as well as washing the curds multiple times to remove lactose. The aging process of the cheese also contributes to making it lactose-free. So, Beemster Cheese offers a delicious option for those who are lactose intolerant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lactose-free | Yes |
| Made with real milk | Yes |
| Made with livestock milk | Yes |
| Made with pasteurized milk | Yes |
| Naturally lactose-free | Yes |
| Made in Holland | Yes |
| Made in Beemster Polder | Yes |
| Made in a UNESCO World Heritage Site | Yes |
| Made with milk from cows and goats | Yes |
| Rich and flavourful | Yes |
| Available in a range of ages | Yes |
| Available in different flavours | Yes |
| Handcrafted | Yes |
| Made using artisan techniques | Yes |
| Made using milk from small, sustainable family farms | Yes |
| Award-winning | Yes |
| Available in grocery stores, specialty cheese shops, and online retailers | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Beemster Cheese is made from the milk of cows and goats
Beemster's cows and goats are raised in a sustainable and humane environment, without the use of artificial growth hormones or antibiotics. The animals are provided with free-range access to pesticide-free pastures, clean air, and fresh water. This focus on animal welfare results in high-quality milk, which is the foundation of Beemster's award-winning cheeses.
The process of making Beemster Cheese involves washing the curds multiple times, which effectively removes most of the lactose. The remaining lactose is then broken down during the ripening stage, ensuring that cheeses aged four months or longer are lactose-free. This natural aging process is combined with traditional craftsmanship, resulting in a range of cheeses that are not only lactose-free but also flavorful and textured.
Beemster Cheese is crafted with attention to detail, from the humane treatment of their cows and goats to the traditional cheesemaking methods. The result is a premium product that showcases the rich sweetness of their milk. Beemster Cheese, made from the milk of cows and goats, offers a unique and delicious experience for cheese enthusiasts.
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The cheese is produced in the Beemster Polder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Beemster Cheese is a traditional Dutch cheese, crafted in the Beemster Polder, a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Beemster Polder is located in the countryside of North Holland, just miles from the North Sea. This unique location, a former coastal lagoon, was reclaimed from under water in the early 17th century and transformed into a lush landscape of fields, canals, and dikes.
The region's slate-blue clay soil is exceptionally rich in nutrients and minerals, resulting in nutrient-dense grasses that are ideal for grazing animals. The cows and goats of Beemster, and Beemster cows alone, have exclusive access to these special pastures, resulting in milk that is renowned for its sweetness, richness, and creaminess. This exceptional milk forms the foundation of Beemster's award-winning cheeses.
The cheesemaking process at Beemster combines traditional craftsmanship with sustainability. Master cheesemakers, apprenticed in methods passed down for generations, handcraft each wheel of cheese using time-honored artisan techniques. The result is a range of cheeses that vary from firm and buttery to hard and butterscotchy, always delivering on taste and texture.
Beemster's commitment to sustainability extends beyond cheesemaking. As a founding partner of Caring Dairy, Beemster actively audits its farming practices to ensure animal welfare, farmer welfare, land preservation, energy conservation, and climate impact are all carefully considered. This holistic approach contributes to the overall quality and character of their cheeses.
The unique terroir of the Beemster Polder, combined with the skill and dedication of its cheesemakers, results in cheeses that are not only delicious but also largely lactose-free. During the cheesemaking process, most of the lactose is discarded with the whey, and the remaining lactose is eliminated during the ripening process through the addition of probiotics or gut-friendly bacteria. This natural aging process ensures that Beemster cheeses are accessible and enjoyable for almost everyone, including those with lactose intolerance.
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Beemster washes curds multiple times to remove lactose
Beemster is a traditional Dutch cheese, crafted in the Beemster Polder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Holland. The Beemster Polder is a former coastal lagoon filled with fields, canals, and dikes. The region's slate-blue clay soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, making its grasses ideal for grazing animals. Beemster cows and goats produce milk that is sweeter, richer, and creamier, which is then used to make Beemster cheese.
Beemster cheese is known for its unique flavour and texture, and it is handcrafted by master cheesemakers using traditional artisan techniques. The process of making Beemster cheese involves washing the curds multiple times to remove lactose, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk, and during the cheesemaking process, most of the lactose is discarded with the whey.
Washing the curds multiple times helps to further reduce the lactose content in Beemster cheese. This, combined with the natural ageing process of cheese, ensures that Beemster cheese is lactose-free. Once a cheese has aged for four months or longer, it is typically considered lactose-free.
The traditional ripening process of Beemster cheese also contributes to its lactose-free quality. The cheese is aged in historic warehouses on wooden boards under natural conditions, allowing it to develop in texture and taste. Additionally, probiotics or gut-friendly bacteria are added during the ripening process, further breaking down any remaining lactose.
Beemster cheese is not only lactose-free but also gluten-free, making it a suitable option for those with dietary restrictions. The cooperative of small family farmers and master cheesemakers behind Beemster cheese is committed to sustainability, animal welfare, and ethical labour practices, ensuring the highest quality and safety standards for their products.
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Aged cheeses are lactose-free
Beemster Cheese is a traditional Dutch cheese, crafted in the Beemster Polder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Holland. The cheese is made with milk from cows and goats that graze on the region's nutrient-rich and mineral-dense grasses, giving the milk a unique sweetness and creaminess. Beemster's cheesemakers also use traditional methods and techniques passed down through generations, resulting in award-winning cheeses with distinct flavours and textures.
Most Beemster cheeses are naturally lactose-free, making them suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk, and during the cheesemaking process, an edible acid like rennet is added to transform the milk into curds and whey. The curds eventually become cheese, and the lactose is mostly discarded with the whey. The remaining lactose is further broken down during the ripening process when probiotics, or gut-friendly bacteria, are introduced.
Additionally, the aging process of cheese naturally reduces lactose content. Beemster also washes the curds multiple times during cheesemaking, further removing lactose from their cheeses. As a result, Beemster cheeses, even those with younger ages, are likely to be lactose-free.
To confirm if a cheese is lactose-free, one can check the Nutrition Facts panel. If the sugar content is listed as 0g, the cheese contains no more than 0.5 grams of lactose per ounce. Beemster's Lactose-Free Mild Gouda, for example, is specifically marketed as a lactose-free option. The process of making Gouda involves washing the curds, which reduces lactose, and the aging process further breaks down any remaining lactose.
In summary, aged cheeses, including those from Beemster, are typically lactose-free due to the natural aging process and the removal of lactose during cheesemaking. Beemster's commitment to traditional methods, high-quality milk, and sustainability results in a range of cheeses that are not only delicious but also accessible to those with lactose intolerance.
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Beemster is a founding partner of Caring Dairy, which audits farming practices
Beemster's commitment to sustainable and ethical practices extends beyond its partnership with Caring Dairy. Their cheeses are crafted in the Beemster Polder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Holland. The region's slate-blue clay soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, producing grasses that give Beemster milk its superior quality.
The company prioritizes the humane treatment of their cows, ensuring they are raised without artificial growth hormones and have free-range access to pesticide-free pastures, clean air, and fresh water. This commitment to animal welfare contributes to the exceptional quality of their milk and, ultimately, their cheeses.
Beemster's cheeses are not only delicious but also naturally lactose-free. This is achieved through the cheesemaking process, where an edible acid like rennet is added to transform milk into curds and whey. The curds are then washed multiple times, removing any remaining lactose. As a result, even those with lactose intolerance can enjoy Beemster's rich and flavorful cheeses.
In summary, Beemster's partnership with Caring Dairy reflects its commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. Through this program, they ensure the well-being of their farmers, cows, and the environment, contributing to the production of high-quality, lactose-free cheeses that consumers can enjoy with peace of mind.
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Frequently asked questions
Most Beemster cheeses are naturally lactose-free. The cheesemaking process involves adding an edible acid like rennet to milk, which transforms it into curds and whey. The curds become cheese, and most of the lactose is discarded with the whey. The remaining lactose is eliminated during the ripening process when probiotics are added to the cheese.
To check if a cheese is lactose-free, look at the Sugar entry on the Nutrition Facts panel. If the amount listed is 0g, then the cheese contains no more than 0.5 grams of lactose per ounce.
Beemster washes the curds multiple times during cheesemaking, which helps remove lactose. Additionally, the cows that produce the milk for Beemster Cheese are raised humanely, without artificial growth hormones, and have free-range access to pesticide-free pastures, clean air, and fresh water. This contributes to the high quality and taste of the milk used in Beemster Cheese.
Beemster Premium Dutch Cheeses are crafted in the Beemster Polder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the countryside of North Holland. The region's slate-blue clay soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, making the grasses ideal for grazing animals and resulting in milk that is sweeter, richer, and creamier.
