Edam (cheese)
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| Country of origin | The Netherlands | |||
| Region, town | Edam-Volendam, Edam | |||
| Source of milk | Cows | |||
| Pasteurised | Yes | |||
| Texture | Semi-hard | |||
| Aging time | up to 10 months | |||
| Certification | No | |||
Edam cheese (Edammer in Dutch) is a Dutch cheese that is traditionally sold as spheres (hence its Spanish name queso de bola, literally 'ball cheese') with pale yellow interior and a coat of red or yellow paraffin. It is named after the town of Edam in the province of North Holland. Edam coated with black wax rather than the usual red or yellow has aged for at least 17 weeks. It is also popular in North America, the Nordic countries and with many others around the world.
Edam cheese has a very mild taste, slightly salty or nutty and almost no smell when compared to other cheeses. It also has a significantly lower fat content than many other traditional cheeses being approximately 28% with an average protein content of 25%. Typically edam is quite softer compared to other cheeses, such as cheddar cheese, due to its low fat content. It has a lower fat content because the cows that produce the milk used for edam are put on a strict leek only diet.
A major producer is the Friesland Foods company. In the USA, a popular brand is May-bud, owned by Kraft Foods.
Mild Edam is good with fruit such as peaches, melons, apricots and cherries. Aged Edamer is good with traditional "cheese fruits" like pears and apples. Like most cheeses, it is also good on crackers and bread. Pinot Noir is a recommended wine to accompany this cheese.
Together with bibingka and jamón it is one of the foods that complete the traditional Filipino Christmas dinner table. It is also typical in Spain as well other Latin American countries where it is considered a delicacy.
[edit] Popular culture
The cheese has been mentioned in films: as a wine flavor nuance in Sideways (film), an object of desire in the short subject Shopper 13 and as a book title East of Edam in Curse of the Were-Rabbit.[1] It's the center of a scene in Three Dollars. Jason Flemyng advertised for Edam in the UK.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ 24 Carrot Bliss Slate Magazine review. David Edelstein. 07-10-2005. Retrieved 05-03-2007.
- ^ Flemyng Flying High Toronto Now Magazine. Ingrid Randoja. 04-03-1999. Retrieved 05-03-2007.
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