Passendale cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Passendale |
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|---|---|
| Other names | Passchendaele |
| Country of origin | Belgium |
| Region, town | Passendale |
| Region | West Flanders |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurized | Yes |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Fat content | Classic: 29%, Prelude: 29,4% |
Passendale cheese is a famous cheese from Belgium. It gets its name from the village of Passendale where it was first made. You can find Passendale cheese in a few different types, like Classic, Prelude, and a special one called Bel Age.
This cheese looks a bit like a round loaf of bread. It has a brown outer skin, called a rind, which you can actually eat! The inside of the cheese is golden yellow and has tiny holes. It's very creamy, a bit firm, and tastes mild and slightly sweet.
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The Story of Passendale Cheese
The Donck family in Passendale started making cheese in 1932. Many local milk farmers helped them. After World War II, the family began making milk, butter, and yogurt too. They even moved their business to an old brewery!
In 1978, they launched a new cheese called "de Groot Hof–Grand’Ferme." This cheese was inspired by old local traditions. In 1980, its name was changed to Passendale so it could be sold in other countries. Later, in 1991, a Dutch company called Campina bought the company that made Passendale cheese. Today, the Bongrain group owns the company and is a big cheese producer in Belgium.
Different Kinds of Passendale
Passendale cheese comes in a few different versions. Each one has its own special touch.
Passendale Classic and Prelude
The Passendale Classic cheese gets a special brushing on its rind. This happens right at the end of its ripening time, before it's packaged up. The Prelude version is similar, offering a delicious taste for cheese lovers.
Passendale Bel Age
Passendale Bel Age is a special kind of Passendale cheese. It ripens for six months in the cellars of the Cheesemaker Passendale. This longer aging process gives it a more unique and rich flavor.
