Kamil Perry
Edam cheese is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that originated in the town of Edam in North Holland. It is mild and salty with a light, nutty flavor and a smooth, firm texture. But what does Edam cheese smell like? Most young Edam cheeses have a very mild flavor and almost no smell when compared to other cheeses. However, as the cheese ages, its flavor sharpens and becomes more robust and complex. In addition to its unique taste and smell, Edam cheese is also known for its distinctive red wax coating, which adds to its aesthetic appeal and helps retain its freshness and flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Mild |
| Flavor | Mild, creamy, nutty, salty, sweet |
| Texture | Smooth, supple, dense, springy, dry, chewy, tensile, elastic |
| Fat content | 28% milk fat |
| Country of origin | Netherlands |
| Named after | Town of Edam in North Holland |
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What You'll Learn
Edam cheese has a very mild smell
Edam cheese, a semi-hard Dutch cheese, has a very mild smell. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, and is known for its distinctive red wax coating. This coating adds to the cheese's aesthetic appeal and helps retain its freshness and flavour.
Edam cheese is a versatile option for snacking and cooking. It has a mild, creamy flavour with a smooth, supple texture and a light, nutty taste. Its lower fat content, around 28% milk fat, contributes to its mild flavour. When young, Edam has a dense yet springy texture with nutty, buttery undertones. As it ages, the flavour intensifies and becomes more robust, developing a sharper and more complex profile with slightly sweet notes, and a salty finish.
The mild-smelling Edam cheese is a popular choice for melting, adding a rich, creamy element to dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches, casseroles, and baked pasta. It is also commonly grated or sliced as a topping for salads, pizzas, and pasta dishes. Its subtle flavour enhances the overall taste of the dish without overpowering other ingredients.
Edam cheese is enjoyed worldwide and is particularly popular in the Czech Republic, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In these countries, Edam is used in a variety of dishes, including snacks, fried cheese, and traditional snacks during festive seasons. The cheese is also commonly eaten with fruits, crackers, and bread.
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Its flavour intensifies as it ages
Edam cheese is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that originates from the town of Edam in North Holland. It is named after the town, which is a few miles north of Amsterdam. Edam cheese is usually eaten young, when its texture is elastic and supple, and its flavour is mild, smooth, and nutty. However, as it ages, the flavour of Edam cheese intensifies and becomes more robust and complex.
The maturation period for Edam cheese typically lasts from a few weeks to a few months, and the longer the cheese matures, the drier its texture becomes. This ageing process gives Edam cheese a sharper and more pronounced flavour, with slightly nutty notes, hints of sweetness, and a salty finish. The traditional, aged version of Edam cheese is coated in black paraffin wax to distinguish it from the younger type, which is typically coated in red wax.
The distinctive flavour of aged Edam cheese is attributed to the quality of milk used, which comes from well-bred Dutch cows that graze on rich pastureland. The lower fat content of Edam cheese, around 28% milk fat, also contributes to its unique flavour profile. As it ages, the cheese develops a stronger, more intense taste that is favoured by cheese connoisseurs.
Aged Edam cheese is often paired with traditional "cheese fruits" like pears and apples, and it is commonly eaten on crackers or bread. In some countries, such as Spain and its former colonies, aged Edam is eaten with bread and coffee. The cheese is also used in cooked dishes, such as kaasstengels in Indonesia, and is a popular ingredient during festive celebrations in the Philippines.
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It is a semi-hard cheese
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese, which originates from the Netherlands. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, which is a few miles north of Amsterdam. Edam is a popular cheese that is commonly used and enjoyed worldwide.
The cheese is made from pasteurized Dutch cow's milk and was first mentioned in 1439. It is typically made with a combination of skimmed and part-skimmed milk, which gives it a lower fat content than other cheeses, at around 28% milk fat. This lower fat content contributes to its mild flavour.
When young, Edam cheese has a mild, creamy, and nutty flavour with a supple, dense yet springy texture. It is known for its distinctive red wax coating, which adds to its aesthetic appeal and helps to retain freshness and flavour. The young cheese is often described as having a very mild flavour, with a slightly salty or nutty taste and almost no smell when compared to other cheeses.
As Edam ages, its flavour intensifies and becomes more robust and complex. The texture becomes drier, and the cheese develops 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.
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It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland
Edam cheese is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, a few miles north of Amsterdam. The town of Edam has a rich history, dating back to the 12th century when farmers and fishermen settled along the Ye river. By the 17th century, it had become a prosperous town with many famous shipyards. Edam cheese is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is made with part-skim milk and has a distinctive red wax coating. It is one of the most popular cheeses in the world and is known for its mild, nutty flavour when young. As it ages, its flavour intensifies and becomes more complex, with slightly salty notes.
The history of Edam cheese is closely tied to the town of Edam and its development as a centre of Dutch cheese exports. The cheese was first mentioned in 1439 when it was made and shipped from the Port of Edam. Dutch global commercial expansion contributed to the thriving market for Edam, and today it is produced all over the Netherlands and exported worldwide.
The red wax coating on Edam cheese is not just aesthetic but also serves a practical purpose. It helps to retain the freshness and flavour of the cheese. This coating distinguishes it from other cheeses and has even led to cultural associations, such as its link to Christmas in Sweden and Norway due to its red colour.
The town of Edam in North Holland has left an indelible mark on the culinary world by giving its name to this versatile and beloved cheese. The cheese's popularity and distinct characteristics have made it a staple in kitchens around the globe, enjoyed by both chefs and cheese enthusiasts alike.
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It is a versatile option in the kitchen
Edam cheese is a versatile option in the kitchen, suitable for both snacking and cooking. It is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, creamy flavour and a smooth, supple texture. Its versatility is evident in its ability to complement both sweet and savoury dishes.
When it comes to snacking, Edam cheese is a popular choice for sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Its smooth texture and slightly nutty taste make it ideal for melting, adding a rich and indulgent touch to any dish. For a simple yet satisfying snack, Edam can be sliced or grated and added to salads, providing a subtle flavour that enhances the overall taste without overwhelming other ingredients.
In the kitchen, Edam shines in a variety of culinary preparations. It pairs exceptionally well with fruits like apples, pears, peaches, melons, apricots, and cherries. The combination of the cheese's creamy texture and the sweetness of the fruits creates a delightful contrast of flavours. Edam is also a perfect match for savoury items such as cured meats, olives, and grilled cheese sandwiches. When melted, it adds a rich and creamy element to casseroles, gratins, and baked pasta dishes, making it a reliable choice for creating cheesy crusts.
In different parts of the world, Edam cheese takes on unique cultural significance. In the Czech Republic, it is commonly used as the base for the snack "smažený sýr" (fried cheese), often served with a slice of ham and tartar sauce or mayonnaise. In Indonesia, Edam is a popular choice for cooking kaasstengels, a snack enjoyed during festive occasions such as Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. It is also served with dishes like roti bakar, kue cubit, and pannenkoek.
Edam cheese's versatility extends beyond snacking and cooking. It is often grated or sliced as a topping for pasta dishes and pizzas, adding a subtle nutty flavour. Additionally, its longevity makes it a convenient option for kitchens, as proper storage can extend its shelf life.
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Frequently asked questions
Edam cheese has a very mild smell, especially when compared to other cheeses.
Young Edam cheese has a mild, creamy, and smooth flavour with a supple and dense texture.
As Edam cheese ages, its flavour intensifies and becomes more robust and complex with slightly nutty, sweet, and salty notes.
Edam cheese is made with part-skim milk and has a lower fat content than Gouda cheese, which contributes to its milder flavour.
