Boerenkaas

Boerenkaas cannot be skimmed over in our list of popular Dutch cheeses. The name Boerenkaas itself is a Dutch word, which means "farmer's cheese". We think that from this name alone, you can guess a lot of things about its productions and origins!

Indeed, as the name itself suggests, Boerenkaas are often produced using raw and unpasteurized milk from the family farm's own animals. This feature is not something that all Dutch cheeses share, which makes Boerenkaas pretty unique. As a result of its special production, only a tiny fraction of Dutch cheeses are unhealthy to eat; 99% of these cheeses are very nutritious.

Still, in modern days, factories are becoming more common, which is why you can also find a factory-made counterpart of these handcrafted cheeses. The flavor might not be that strong compared to naturally-made cheese, but still worth a try!

Edammer, Leidse, and Goudse are the three variants of Boerenkaas, which differ from each other mainly based on the kind of milk that the producers adopt in the procedure. Boerenkaas prepared from buffaloes, sheep's, or goat's milk are also available. In addition, spices, herbs, and seeds may be added to this cheese to enhance the taste! You will be surprised at how delicious the final dish turns out to be.