Leerdammer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leerdammer |
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| Country of origin | Netherlands |
| Region | Schoonrewoerd, Leerdam |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | Yes |
| Texture | Semihard |
| Aging time | 3–12 months |
| Certification | Trademark name |
Leerdammer is a popular type of cheese from the Netherlands. It's a "semihard" cheese, which means it's not super soft like cream cheese, but not rock-hard either. This yummy cheese is made from cow's milk.
Leerdammer cheese gets its special taste and look from being aged for about 3 to 12 months. It has a creamy white color and a sweet, slightly nutty flavor. You might notice it looks a bit like Emmental cheese, and that's because it was made to be similar! One of the most fun things about Leerdammer is its distinct holes. An old advertising slogan even said, "the taste is around the holes"!
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Making Leerdammer Cheese
Leerdammer cheese is made only by a company called the Groupe Bel. The name "Leerdammer" is a special trademark, meaning only this company can use it for their cheese.
Where Leerdammer Is Produced
The main place where Leerdammer cheese is made is in a town called Schoonrewoerd in the Netherlands. This town is part of the area of Leerdam, which is how the cheese got its name!
Groupe Bel also has another factory that makes Leerdammer. This factory is located in Dalfsen, which is in the eastern part of the Overijssel province in the Netherlands. Leerdammer cheese is also made in France.
The Story Behind Leerdammer
Leerdammer cheese was created by two clever people: Cees Boterkooper and Bastiaan Baars. Cees Boterkooper owned a small dairy farm in Schoonrewoerd since 1914. Bastiaan Baars ran a cheese shop in a village nearby.
How It Was Developed
Cees and Bastiaan met in 1970 and decided to work together. They wanted to create a new kind of cheese that could be as popular as other famous Dutch cheeses like Gouda and Edam. After a lot of hard work, they finally launched Leerdammer cheese in 1977.
Where to Find Leerdammer
Today, you can find Leerdammer cheese in many supermarkets. It's sold all over Europe, in Russia, and in the United States.
