Description
The Noord-Hollandse Edammer PDO is a semicooked cheese made with partially skimmed and pasteurized cow's milk and derives exclusively from the province of Noord-Holland.
Production Area
The Noord-Hollandse Edammer PDO production area lies in the Noord-Holland region, which is situated above the North Sea Channel.
Production Method
semi-skimmed and pasteurized milk is used for the production. After cooling, traditional ingredients are added to the milk such as calf rennet, yeast and dye cultures, after which it is placed in special cheese tanks. Once the coagulation process has finished the curd is broken up into lumps of about five or six millimetres, and the temperature is raised. The mass obtained is then extracted, the whey drained and cut into blocks that are placed in cheese moulds and pressed for a few hours. After pressing, the cheeses are immersed for a few days in brine, in order to obtain the right concentration of salt. The ripening is done by placing the forms on wooden boards, with controlled humidity and temperature for a few weeks, after which the surface of the cheese is sprinkled with red paraffin.
Appearance and Flavour
Noord-Hollandse Edammer PDO is a spherical shaped cheese, both surfaces being flat. The weight of the form varies from 1.7 kg to 1.9 kg. The outside is covered by the traditional red paraffin while the inside colour is a yellow-cream. It is characterized by the soft texture and low salt content.
History
Noord-Hollandse Edammer has been produced since the Middle Ages when it was exported from Edam to the other Zuiderzee ports and to other cities throughout the world. The cheese was originally produced on farms, as can be seen from the presses of the originals Edam cheese on display in the Noord-Holland museum. The industrial production of this cheese began to dominate from the end of the 19th century.
Gastronomy
Noord-Hollandse Edammer PDO could be stored in the refrigerator in order to maintain its organoleptic properties. It is consumed fresh, excellent on its own as a snack or as a meal. It is often used as an ingredient in salads and other culinary preparations.
Marketing
The product is sold as Noord-Hollandse Edammer PDO. It is marketed sliced in vacuum sealed packs of different weights.
Distinctive Features
Milk with organoleptic properties of particular value, such as the low fat content, is obtained thanks to the characteristic soil-climatic conditions of the production area. The composition and quality of the milk, along with careful processing methods, gives the Noord-Hollandse Edammer PDO a particular smoothness and a low salt content that distinguish it from other types of Edammer cheeses.
