As a Dutch particular person, I can affirm we take our cheese very significantly in the Netherlands. Personally, there’s by no means a second we don’t have cheese within the fridge and our weekly farmer’s market go to all the time features a obligatory cease at our native cheese monger.
In the present day, I’ll take you alongside to a sustainable cheese farm in Holland and introduce you to Henri Willig Cheese. This model of conventional Dutch cheese makers I didn’t know a lot about myself, however I used to be shocked by it’s historical past – and wonderful choice of cheeses!
CHEESE FARM VISIT: HENRI WILLIG
WHAT IS REAL DUTCH CHEESE?
I’m positive you’re acquainted with our Gouda and Edam cheese, however gosh, there are such a lot of extra cities right here with wonderful cheeses, my very own Zaanstreek included. I dare say that a few of my favorite flavours you in all probability haven’t tried and even heard of, like komijnkaas (cumin cheese) and the salty 48+ oude kaas (aged cheese).
However I’ve a confession to make. There may be one Dutch cheese that I all the time regarded down upon a bit.
This cheese is from a model that you will discover in devoted vacationer retailers all all through Amsterdam and different Dutch cities (you’ll acknowledge it by the rows of cheese wheels in entrance of the home windows), and on touristy places such because the Zaanse Schans and the Edam Cheese Market.
This cheese is from the model “Henri Willig” and I all the time assumed the identify of this ‘cheese farmer’ was pretend and simply there to make vacationers imagine its authenticity. However on a current press journey to Laag Holland, I received to go to one of many farms of Henri Willig and be taught the historical past behind this distinctive (and really actual) man’s thriving enterprise.
WHO IS HENRI WILLIG?
Cheesemaking historically was a lady’s job in Dutch tradition, with farmers’ wives passing their cheesemaking abilities onto their daughters. And the Netherlands boasts preferrred situations for dairy farming, with fertile pastures and a gentle local weather.
Cheese markets, farms, and traditions have flourished all through our nation’s historical past, making cheese a significant a part of Dutch id and a beloved export.
Henri Willig grew up surrounded by cows on the dairy farm “De Jacobs Hoeve” within the city of Katwoude in Holland. As the one son in a household of 5 kids, he accomplished agricultural college and took over the household enterprise in 1974. Collectively along with his spouse, Riet, the entrepreneurial couple quickly started exploring the thought of manufacturing their very own cheese.
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE IS HENRI WILLIG?
After attended a cheesemaking course, Henri and Riet Willig found the key to crafting glorious cheese: beginning with pleased, wholesome animals.
That’s the reason Henri Willig’s dairy farm is targeted on natural, sustainable farming, freed from chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Their Jersey cows spend no less than 180 days a yr outside, for at least 12 hours a day. This permits them to exhibit pure behaviors and ensures they’re as snug as doable, decreasing the danger of sickness and enabling them to supply the best high quality milk.
Most of their cheeses are created from pasteurized milk, which is heated together with rennet and a particular proprietary starter tradition for its signature Willig flavour. They produce all varieties of totally different cheeses, from tender younger cheeses and smoked cheeses to a premium choice award successful (outdated) cheeses.
Some distinctive flavours they provide embody ‘inexperienced pesto’, ‘coconut’ and even ‘beer’ and ‘glowing wine’. Moreover cow cheeses, in addition they promote sheep and goats cheeses in addition to ‘cheese accompaniments’ similar to dips, liquors, honey and mustard.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY HENRI WILLIG CHEESE?
Henri Willig Cheese might be bought at devoted shops throughout the Netherlands and on-line. You’ll additionally discover their cheeses in lots of native markets and present retailers in cities similar to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Utrecht, Den Bosch and Maastricht.
On the Zaanse Schans, you will discover Henri Willig on the ‘Catharina Hoeve’ farmhouse and so they even have a store on the Edam cheese market (the Kaaswaag).
VISIT CHEESE FARM JACOBS HOEVE KATWOUDE
The city of Katwoude is situated on the IJsselmeerdijk (dike) between the cities of Monnickendam and Volendam. Upon arrival, staff in unique costumes will present you the way cheese is ready. Afterwards, you may go to the cheese store.
What’s nice is that almost all of the cheeses are already pre-packed and match completely in present packages, as a result of the cheeses can simply be unnoticed of the fridge for a while. They’re packaged in a method which you can additionally convey them on a aircraft dwelling.
You too can go on a self-guided tour to the next-door Henri Willig natural Jersey farm. Right here you be taught extra concerning the farm, the sustainable farming of Henri Willig and stand up shut with the gorgeous Jersey cows. We had been advised that the large imaginative and prescient of the Willig household is to additionally construct a brand new expertise the place you may see the manufacturing means of the cheese from up shut as properly, so hopefully this will get added within the close to future!
Handle: Jacobs Hoeve, Hoogedijk 8, 1145 PM Katwoude. Admission and parking are free, and as a person customer, you don’t want to guide prematurely.
Open day by day from March to October from 09:00 to 18:00 and from November to February from 09:00 to 17:00. Closed on December 25, 26 and January 1st.
VISIT CHEESE FARM CATHARINA HOEVE ZAANSE SCHANS
On the iconic Zaanse Schans, know for its windmills, you already really feel such as you’ve stepped again into time, however on the Catharina Hoeve you get this sense much more with the shopkeepers wearing conventional costume.
Moreover an incredible purchasing expertise, you’ll be taken by means of an expert demonstration in the best way cheese is ready at ‘de Haal‘. On this former hay barn, the story of Henri Willig and his ardour for animals and high quality cheeses is advised. The story might be listened to through an audio tour utilizing a QR code. This audio tour is accessible in 6 languages; Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian. There may be additionally room for varied enjoyable photograph alternatives.
Handle: Catharina Hoeve, Zeilenmakerspad 5, 1509 BZ Zaandam. Admission is free and you don’t want to guide prematurely.
Open day by day from October to February from 08:30 to 17:00 and from March to September from 8:00 to 18:00. Opening hours in the course of the holidays: December twenty fifth 8:30-14:00, December twenty sixth 8:30-16:00 and January 1st 10:00-17:00.
VISIT THE NETHERLANDS
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