Edam Cheese

Making Edam Cheese: The Journey from Farm to Plate

Edam cheese is a globally famous Dutch cheese, renowned for its mild and creamy taste. Exporting to over 100 countries, it’s known for its unique round shape and red wax coating, and it’s popularity amongst consumers who appreciate a light flavor. But what’s the journey involved in creating this distinctive product? In this blog post, we will explore how Edam cheese is created and how it makes its way from the farm to the dinner plate, discussing the techniques and processes that bring this Dutch delicacy to the market.

From Farm to Factory

At the heart of Edam cheese production is milk – typically cow’s milk, but also goat milk, sheep milk, and even some combination of these milks. All milk used for Edam cheese production must first pass quality control checks and be deemed fit for purpose. After the milk passes tests for common pathogens, it will then be pasteurized, either through heating or by the addition of specific chemicals, as a means of destroying any harmful bacteria that may be present.

The pasteurized milk is then stirred for an extended period of time in order to separate it into solid and liquid components. This process, called ‘fine curding’, is then performed multiple times over hours to further reduce the moisture content and firm up the curds. The resulting consistent texture helps Edam cheese retain its shape when cooked. Once the curds reach the desired closure, then a thin brine solution is added to the mixture to preserve the texture and flavour.

The final step in making Edam cheese is to cut and mill the cheese curds into pieces, before the curds are then heated in a shallow vat until they begin to melt. The melted curds are then placed into round molds and cooled, where they will form into the classic round shape that Edam cheese is known for. Once cooled, the cheese will spend a period of maturing, typically lasting three to four months. During this time, the cheese will develop its distinct flavor and texture.

Adding the Red Wax

After maturing, Edam cheeses then need to be wax-coated to protect them from spoilage and dehydration. This can involve several steps; the cheese rounds are first pre-washed, then submerged in a hot wax bath, before being air-dried and then polished. Each cheese wheel is then immersed in a melted red wax bath, which helps maintain its original shape and prevents dehydration, as well as allowing the cheese to be pre-packaged and exported.

Exporting to the World

It is the combination of careful crafting and packaging that allows the Edam cheese to be exported around the world. Most Edam cheese wheels are vacuum-sealed in plastic packaging, both to make them easier to move and to allow them to be kept for extended periods of time.

The cheese is then shipped from producers in the Netherlands to cheese distributors throughout the world, arriving intact at their destination. Each wheel is then tasted and inspected for quality once more before being put on sale for restaurants, grocery stores and other food retailers. From here, the Edam cheese will eventually find its way to the kitchen table, where the consumer can enjoy its unique flavor and texture.

The Craftmanship of Edam Cheese

Apart from the specific process by which Edam cheese is created, an element of craftsmanship also goes into each wheel of cheese. This involves selecting the right kind of milk, blending the ingredients together in the right proportion, and mixing and stirring the mixture to the right consistency. Even the wax coating isn’t done randomly – each wheel must be immersed just right so that it develops the right texture.

For over three centuries, master cheese makers have been perfecting the techniques and processes of Edam cheese crafting, helping to ensure that each wheel is of the highest quality. By combining these skills with modern machinery and advanced production techniques, today’s cheese makers can maintain the traditional taste and texture that have made Edam cheese a global success story.

Conclusion

From farm to kitchen, there’s a lot of effort and craftsmanship that goes into creating and preparing Edam cheese for consumers all around the world. By understanding the process of cheese making and all the steps involved from pasteurization to wax coating, it’s easy to see why Edam cheese has become such an international sensation. With its unmatched flavor and texture, it’s no wonder why Edam cheese is a worldwide staple, and why cheese enthusiasts everywhere love this Dutch delight.