What is Old Amsterdam Cheese? Where can I get it? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article. Old Amsterdam is an extraordinary type of Gouda cheese. It is created from cow's milk - that's all that sellers and buyers know about it. The most important secret to leaven, the keys to secrecy are kept by the descendants of the Westland family.
History of creation
How did the cheese "Old Amsterdam"? Its creator is the son of the founder of the cheese dynasty Westland Lambert from the town of Huizen. From childhood, he liked the taste of cheese that his mother brought from Jordan. The roots of the Lambert family were there.
The food brought in had a natural salty taste, which, with the sweet taste of milk from Dutch cows, gave an inadvertently spicy combination. When Lambert learned the basics of cheese making, he decided to create an impeccable family product that would be admired by both kings and commoners. The path to triumph turned out to be quite difficult, but as a result, the coveted provision appeared in the family. He became known throughout the world as the cheese "Old Amsterdam."
There is a pun, as Old has a double meaning. Cheese is called old because of its maturation, which lasts more than a year. This process is divided into three phases, the subtleties of which the cheese makers do not tell anyone.
Holland Business Card
An official presentation of the cheese “Old Amsterdam” took place in 1985. The Westland family did not stint on advertising in television commercials and magazines. After all, she argued that the recipes for making exquisite food have not changed since its inception. The cheese truly became stellar, receiving more international awards than any other popular Dutch cheese.
As a result, Old Amsterdam cheese turned into a visiting card of the Netherlands. Like the rest of the matured Gouda cheeses (Holland), traditionally the head of the cheese we are considering is given a cylindrical semi-solid shape for easy transportation and storage.
During aging, white crisp crystals appear in the body of the food, thanks to which the cheese belongs to the “noble” variety. Small holes, called eyes, and caramel deep color distinguish it from other varieties.
Zest
What is the highlight of cheese? Without revealing the basic secrets, the Westlands alluded to the fact that the taste of a mature old food was given to the cheese by lactic acid bacteria. But as the consistency of the solid head remains oily and tender, still no one knows. When "Old Amsterdam" reaches annual exposure, a bright nutty aroma is added to its salty-sweet bouquet.
How is it served at home?
Everyone would like to know the composition of the cheese “Old Amsterdam”. Unfortunately, this information is shrouded in secrecy. But everyone knows how this product is served in its homeland. If the hosts prepare a “cheese plate” that is fashionable today, then “Old Amsterdam” is always placed in the center. The taste of cheese is decorated with the aroma of nuts and fruits, so the food we are considering is served with such additions:
- apples
- pistachios;
- unsweetened pears;
- almonds;
- red tart wine grapes.
And they also separately set plates with crackers, pieces of fresh bread, fruit mustard. The composition of the latter is orange jam with zest. In addition, delicious wines are served with gourmet cheese - cabernet, Italian merlot and young Bordeaux.
Before cutting food, the knife is immersed in hot water - it is easier to cut cheese into slices and bars. For the best cutting, guillotines or special knives are used. The first are attractive souvenirs, which are a great addition to the basic gift - a head or a piece of cheese.
Where can I buy?
Many people ask: "In which cheese shop can I buy Old Amsterdam?" We will try to answer this question as detailed as possible. In Amsterdam, it is better to buy cheese at the Cheese Museum, which is located at Prinsengracht 112, 1015. It can also be purchased at Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room specialty stores. They will cut circles into pieces that you need. Already prepared packages are waiting for customers on the shelves.
What is the price of Old Amsterdam cheese? Here a piece of 450 g can be purchased for about 15 euros (1100 rubles). There are smaller cuts.
This delicacy can also be bought in online stores, where it is sold both with heads and packed in separate pieces weighing 90 g, 450 g and 150 g. Here a 450 g slice costs 13 euros (950 rubles), including all taxes for transportation.
If you decide to buy cheese online, use the services of trusted sellers, as there are many fakes in this world in the world.
The properties
So, you already know in which cheese shops it is best to buy Old Amsterdam. This product has health benefits such as:
- Like any other food, it is rich in protein and calcium.
- In "Old Amsterdam" there is linoleic acid, which protects the body from vascular and cardiac ailments, atherosclerosis.
- Scientists have found that cheese contains sphingolipids that prevent cancer.
- Dutch dentists claim that cheese eaten for dessert prevents tooth decay.
- Is lactose harmful to you? "Old Amsterdam" refers to mature cheeses, and therefore contains a minimum of lactose.
Consumption and Saving
To prevent cheese from drying out, it must be stored in its original unopened packaging in the refrigerator. An hour before serving, you need to get it and "warm" at home temperature.
The pieces remaining after cutting are wrapped in parchment or wax paper. In extreme cases, they are placed in plastic resealable bags. The remaining cheese is sent to the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.
Cheese dessert
Sweet Mille-Feuille is one of the most famous culinary recipes with the cheese we are considering. Translated into Russian has almost the same meaning as the name of the cake "Napoleon". We take:
- a couple of apples;
- 250 g of strawberries;
- two pears;
- half a honey melon;
- 2 tbsp. l lemon juice;
- gooseberry - 250 g;
- two large spoons of honey;
- 300 g of "Amsterdam Old";
- any cream with sourness - 250 g;
- fresh black pepper.
Cook this dessert like this:
- Washed and dried pears with apples, cut into tiny slices and pour lemon juice.
- Cut the melon across into 0.5 cm thick circles.
- Gooseberries and strawberries are cut in half.
- Fill the fruit with a sauce of honey, whipped cream and fresh black pepper.
- Using a glass of cheese, cut 3 mm thick slices from a layer of cheese.
- Prepare one serving of one melon mug and four cheese. First, place each piece of cheese on a separate plate and pour the berry-fruit mixture. Repeat fruit and cheese alternating twice. Next, put a piece of melon, and then another cheese layer. Each serving should be completed by a fruit layer topped with cheese.
Nuances
It is known that the cheese "Old Amsterdam" is created from cow's fresh milk only today produced. Milk, which has stood for a couple of days, begins to turn sour, so the production of cheese on the weekend stops, and resumes only when fresh milk is received.
"Old Amsterdam" is made in circles, each weighing 22 kg. The package has the inscription Premier Grand Cru Classe, which indicates sophistication and high quality food. The energy value of 100 g of the product is 431 kcal. It includes: abomasum, colorant, pasteurized cow's milk, dairy enzymes, preservative E251.