Edam cheese

Edam cheese is a semi-hard Dutch cheese made from cow’s milk and named after the town of Edam in North Holland.

Edam cheese is a semi-hard Dutch cheese made from cow’s milk and named after the town of Edam in North Holland. It is traditionally sold as a flattened sphere with a pale yellow interior and a red wax coating. Young Edam is mild and slightly salty, while aged Edam becomes firmer and stronger in flavour.

Origin and name

Edam cheese takes its name from the Dutch town of Edam, where it became associated with cheese production by the 15th century. It is one of the best-known Dutch cheeses and has long been traded internationally.

Characteristics

Edam is usually pale yellow inside, with a smooth texture and a red wax rind in export versions. Its flavour is mild and slightly salty when young, becoming firmer, sharper, and more crumbly with age.

Production and aging

Edam is made from cow’s milk, typically skimmed or part-skimmed, and then pressed, salted, and aged. Aging commonly lasts from a few weeks to several months, though some versions are matured for longer.

Use and distribution

Because it stores and travels well, Edam became a significant export cheese from the Netherlands. It is used as a snack cheese and in cooking, and it remains widely produced in the Netherlands and elsewhere.