Frederic Melton
The Netherlands is known for its cheese, and there are many places where you can get a true cheese experience. If you're looking for the best place to visit in Holland for cheese, you might want to start with the city of Gouda, where the cheese was historically traded and got its name. Here, you can shop for fresh cheese at the Gouda Cheese Market (Gouda Kaasmarkt) and try as many varieties of Gouda as you can find. You can also visit the Gouda cheese weighing house (De Goudse Waag) to learn about how cheese is weighed and priced. Another famous cheese market is in Alkmaar, which has been taking place since 1593 and is located next to the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands. Here, you can also visit the Alkmaar Cheese Museum, an interactive museum that tells the story of cheese from cow to cheese. If you're looking for a quieter experience, you can head to Hoorn, located about forty minutes north of Amsterdam. Here, you can visit the cheese market and see a traditional dance to music before the trades start.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best places to visit for cheese | Gouda, Edam, Alkmaar, Amsterdam |
| Type of cheese | Gouda, Edam, Delft Blauw, Leideskaas, Beemsterkaas, Boerenkaas, Rookkaas |
| Cheese markets | Gouda Cheese Market, Edam Cheese Market, Alkmaar Cheese Market |
| Cheese museums | Amsterdam Cheese Museum, Alkmaar Cheese Museum |
| Other attractions | Gouda Cheese Weighing House, Cheese-making workshops, Cheese-tasting tours |
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What You'll Learn
Gouda: the country's most famous cheese
Gouda is the country's most famous cheese, and the eponymous cheese is the nation's favourite, comprising an entire half of all cheese production. The town of Gouda, in southern Holland, is a fine road trip destination and you can shop for fresh cheese at the Gouda Cheese Market (Gouda Kaasmarkt). The market is held in front of the Gothic town hall, in the centre of town, and is surrounded by stalls selling other artisanal wares.
At the market, you can try as many varieties of Gouda as you can find, from young and creamy to old and intense. Graskaas, aged for just a week using the first milk from cows returned to grass pastures after winter, is one of the best young Goudas. Old cheeses may have been aged for a year or more and have a pleasantly intense, firm texture, sometimes with a bit of crystallisation.
While in Gouda, don't forget to visit the Gouda cheese weighing house (De Goudse Waag), where you can learn how cheese is weighed and priced, and how gouda is made. You can also visit the Alkmaar Cheese Museum, located on the same square as the market, to learn more about the history of Dutch cheese.
If you're looking for a traditional and authentic cheese experience in the Netherlands, the Gouda cheese market is a must-visit. The city itself is very cute, and you can also sample the famous Dutch waffle cookies, stroopwafels.
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Alkmaar: home to a historic cheese market
If you're a cheese lover, you'll find yourself in a cheesy paradise in the Netherlands. The country is one of the biggest dairy producers in the world, and cheese is a highlight for the Dutch economy and an important part of the culture and identity.
One of the best places to visit for cheese is Alkmaar, a northern city where cheese has been traded for centuries. The Alkmaar Cheese Market is one of the oldest and most iconic in the Netherlands, with porters in traditional white uniforms. The market takes place every Friday from April to September on the Waagplein, and has done since 1593. The square itself has been extended eight times, showing how successful the market has been for the local economy.
The market is a real spectacle, with bell ringing, cheese inspecting, and price bargaining through clapping hands. If you want to learn about the history of Dutch cheese, the Alkmaar Cheese Museum is located on the same square as the market. The museum has been operating since 1983 and is the main cheese museum in the country. It's an interactive centre that tells the story of cheese 'from cow to cheese', with demonstrations and exhibits on the history of cheese production.
Cheese is made in Alkmaar too. Beemster cheese, for example, is produced a bit southeast of the city in the Beemster Polder. The cheese is made in a similar way to Gouda, but has a distinctive taste due to the unique soil of the region – clay from dried-up seawater.
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Edam: a semi-hard cheese named after its township
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, creamy flavour and a smooth, supple texture. Named after the township of Edam in North Holland, it has been produced there since the 15th century. It is made using pasteurised cow's milk and is known for its distinctive red wax coating, which serves to protect the cheese. In terms of taste, Edam has a nutty, sweet and salty flavour profile. As the cheese ages, the flavour intensifies and becomes sharper and more complex.
Edam cheese is a versatile ingredient, commonly eaten on its own as part of a cheeseboard, or melted as a topping for casseroles, gratins, and baked pasta dishes. It is also often cubed and skewered with fruit as an appetizer. The cheese is rich in protein, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, phosphorus and zinc, offering various health benefits.
Edam cheese is said to have become popular due to Dutch sailors who would take it on board during their voyages, either for consumption or trade. Today, it is a well-known variety of Dutch cheese, recognised for its unique shape and flavour, and is exported and enjoyed worldwide.
The town of Edam is located in the picturesque Waterland region, a short distance from Amsterdam. Visitors can taste Edam cheese on its home turf and also experience the historic cheese market, which is now a fun reenactment.
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Delft Blauw: a sweet and creamy blue-vein cheese
When it comes to cheese, the Netherlands is the place to be. The average Dutch person consumes 14.3 kilograms of cheese per year, and the country is brimming with cheese shops, markets, museums, and tasting experiences.
One cheese variety that stands out is the aptly named Delft Blauw. This cheese is a delightful combination of Gouda and blue cheese, resulting in a sweet and creamy delight with a ripple of blue running through it. Its flavour profile is unique, being sweeter than traditional blue cheese and less salty.
Delft Blauw is often waxed with a blue-on-white design, echoing the famous Delft blue pottery made in the city of Delft. This aesthetic touch makes it a treat for both the eyes and the palate, perhaps earning it the title of the prettiest cheese in Holland.
To taste Delft Blauw, a multi-city excursion is in order. Renting a car is a convenient way to explore the different cheese-making regions and sample their offerings. While Delft Blauw may not be as famous as Gouda or Edam, it is a unique delicacy worth seeking out for cheese enthusiasts.
In addition to cheese tasting, visitors can also explore the rich history and culture of Dutch cheese. The Alkmaar cheese museum, located in the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands, is a must-visit. The Amsterdam Cheese Museum, with its expensive cheese slicer, is another attraction. For those who want to dive deeper, cheese-making workshops and farm tours offer an immersive experience.
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Reypenaer's Tasting Room: a top spot to sample unique cheeses
When it comes to cheese, the Netherlands is absolutely crackers! The average Dutch person consumes 14.3 kg of cheese per year. The country offers a variety of cheesy attractions, from taste-testing to cheese-making workshops.
One of the best places to try unique cheeses in Holland is the Reypenaers Tasting Room, located in the centre of Amsterdam, near the Singel canal and the flower market. Reypenaers is housed in a historical ripening warehouse built in 1906, where cheeses slowly ripen over a long period, developing a complex and extraordinary flavour. The natural fluctuations in temperature and humidity cause the cheeses to lose weight and acquire a distinctive taste.
At Reypenaers, you can book a cheese and wine tasting experience, where you'll descend to the tasting rooms beneath the shop. There, you'll be guided by a knowledgeable staff member through a selection of six cheeses produced by Reypenaer, each paired with a complementary wine or port. This informative and indulgent experience offers insight into the world of Dutch cheese and the art of pairing it with wine.
Reypenaers is known for its naturally ripened cheeses, crafted in a century-old warehouse in Woerden, near Utrecht. The warehouse forgoes fancy temperature control devices, opting instead to open shutters when things get too hot. This traditional approach to cheese-making contributes to the unique character of their products.
If you're a serious cheese enthusiast, consider combining your visit to Reypenaers with other cheesy attractions in the Netherlands. The country offers plenty of opportunities for cheese-making workshops, farm tours, and cheese-tasting experiences. You can even take a wine and cheese canal cruise in Amsterdam or visit the Alkmaar Cheese Museum, located next to the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cheese Museum in Alkmaar is located next to the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands and tells the story "from cow to cheese". The Alkmaar cheese market has been taking place since 1593 and is one of the most famous and popular cheese markets in Holland.
Reypenaer in Amsterdam is a great place to try naturally ripened cheeses. The tasting room is located on the Singel canal and offers samples of six kinds of cheese, alongside wine.
The Booij Kaasmakers farm in Streefkerk, near Rotterdam, has been making artisan cheese for over 300 years. They offer guided tours, cheese tastings, and workshops where you can make your own raw milk cheese.
The city of Gouda in southern Holland is famous for its Gouda cheese. The Gouda Cheese Market is a great place to shop for fresh cheese, with a wide variety of young and old Gouda to try and buy.
