Kamil Perry
Edam cheese is a semi-hard Dutch cheese with a distinctive red wax coating and a mild, nutty flavour. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century. Edam is one of the most famous Dutch cheeses worldwide and is known for its smooth taste and not-too-hard texture. It is also an excellent source of calcium and vitamins A and B12. In this article, we will explore what makes Edam cheese so unusual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | The Netherlands |
| City of origin | Edam, North Holland |
| Shape | Round |
| Coating | Red wax |
| Texture | Semi-hard, smooth, firm, crumbly as it ages, soft |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, creamy, salty, sweeter as it ages, sharper as it ages, more complex as it ages |
| Nutritional value | High calcium, vitamins A and B12, phosphorus, zinc |
| Lactose sensitivity | Fermented Edam is easier to digest |
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What You'll Learn
- Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a distinctive red wax coating
- It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century
- It is made using pasteurised cow's milk and has a mild, nutty flavour
- Edam is an excellent source of calcium and vitamins A and B12
- It is the most common cheese used in the Czech Republic, where it is usually sold under the name eidam
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a distinctive red wax coating
Edam cheese is often a top choice in various dishes due to its versatility and good nutritional content. It is an excellent source of calcium, vitamins A and B12, and minerals like phosphorus and zinc, which are important for bone and dental health and body metabolism. It also has a low lactose content, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
The red wax coating on Edam cheese serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps preserve the cheese by preventing surface mould from developing, thus retaining its freshness and flavour. Secondly, it gives the cheese a distinctive appearance, making it one of the most easily identifiable cheeses in the world. The coating also seals in moisture, contributing to the cheese's longevity.
While the name "Edam Holland" is protected, guaranteeing Dutch origin, Edam cheese is made worldwide and labelled simply as "Edam". Interestingly, the red wax-coated Mini Babybel cheese found in many children's lunches is also Edam, but it is not made in Holland.
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It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century
Edam cheese is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century. It is one of the most famous Dutch cheeses known worldwide, with its distinctive red wax coating and round shape. It is made using pasteurised cow's milk and is known for its mild, nutty flavour and smooth, firm texture that becomes crumblier as it ages. In its younger form, Edam has a light, slightly salty and neutral taste. As it gets older, the flavour becomes sharper and more complex, with a deeper savoury touch. This makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes, from snacks to main courses. Edam is also an excellent source of calcium, vitamins A and B12, and minerals like phosphorus and zinc. For those with lactose sensitivity, fermented Edam cheese can be an easier-to-digest option.
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It is made using pasteurised cow's milk and has a mild, nutty flavour
Edam cheese is made using pasteurised cow's milk and has a mild, nutty flavour. It is a semi-hard cheese that originates from the Netherlands, specifically the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century. It is one of the most famous Dutch cheeses and is known for its distinctive red wax coating and round shape.
Edam cheese has a unique and distinctive flavour, which becomes sharper and more complex as it ages. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and B12, making it a nutritious choice. Its soft texture and savoury taste make it a versatile option for various dishes, from snacks to main courses.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Edam cheese became an important export commodity for the Netherlands, with Dutch sailors carrying it on their maritime voyages and spreading its popularity worldwide. Today, it remains a popular cheese, particularly in the Czech Republic, where it is often used as the base for the snack "smažený sýr" (fried cheese).
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Edam is an excellent source of calcium and vitamins A and B12
Edam cheese is a semi-hard, pale-yellow cheese from the Netherlands. It has a distinctive red wax coating and a mild, nutty flavour. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century.
Edam is an excellent source of calcium, which is important for bone and dental health and helps prevent osteoporosis. It also contains vitamins A and B12, and minerals like phosphorus and zinc, which are important for body metabolism. For those with lactose sensitivity, fermented Edam cheese can be an easier-to-digest option.
Edam cheese is a versatile cheese that can be used in various dishes, from snacks to main courses. Its young version has a light, slightly salty, and neutral taste. As the cheese ages, the flavour becomes sharper and more complex, with a deeper savoury touch and slightly nutty notes. This flavour characteristic, along with its smooth, supple texture, makes it a popular choice for many.
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It is the most common cheese used in the Czech Republic, where it is usually sold under the name eidam
Edam cheese is one of the most famous Dutch cheeses, known worldwide for its round shape and distinctive red wax coating. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, where it has been a staple since the 15th century. The cheese is made using pasteurised cow's milk and is known for its mild, nutty flavour and smooth, firm texture that becomes crumblier as it ages.
Edam is the most common cheese used in the Czech Republic, where it is usually sold under the name eidam. It is often used as the base of the snack smažený sýr ("fried cheese"), which is popular in the country and also in neighbouring Slovakia. In Belize, where it was once one of the few commercially available cheeses, it may also be known as queso de calavera, queso de colorado, or Dutch cheese.
Edam has a distinctive and unique flavour. In its young version, the cheese has a light, slightly salty, and neutral taste. As the cheese ages, the flavour becomes sharper and more complex, with a deeper savoury touch. This flavour characteristic makes it suitable for various dishes, from snacks to main courses.
Edam is an excellent source of calcium, which is important for bone and dental health and helps prevent osteoporosis. This cheese contains various vitamins such as vitamins A and B12, and minerals like phosphorus and zinc, which are important for body metabolism. For those with lactose sensitivity, fermented Edam cheese can be an easier-to-digest option.
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Frequently asked questions
Edam cheese is unusual because of its distinctive red wax coating, which seals in moisture and gives it a unique appearance. It also has a distinctive, nutty flavour and a smooth, firm texture that becomes crumblier as it ages.
Edam cheese has a slightly salty, nutty taste. In its young version, the cheese has a light, neutral taste. As the cheese ages, the flavour becomes sharper and more complex, with a deeper savoury touch.
Edam cheese originates from the town of Edam in North Holland, the Netherlands, where it has been a staple since the 15th century.
