Amsterdam – Cheese and so much More
When you think of Amsterdam, what comes to mind? Canals, wooden shoes, tulips, maybe the red-light district? My thoughts go straight to cheese. And, apparently, I’m not the only one. Holland is the 2nd largest exporter of cheese in the world (Germany is # 1, and Italy, France, Denmark, and the USA follow behind respectively). The Dutch themselves eat 30 pounds a year, EACH. I mean who doesn’t love Gouda? or Edam for that matter. I grew up in Mississippi where every year at Christmas most households ordered “State Cheese“. Edam cheese is produced by the agricultural school of Mississippi State University. It was recognizable by its large globe shape and red wax coating. Always a treat and never lasted into the New Year. Anyway, back to Amsterdam.
Cheese production in the Netherlands dates back as far as 80 BC when Julius Caesar was a fan of the fabled “yellow gold”. The year-round rainfall and plentiful green grass in the Netherlands provide the perfect pasture for dairy cows and all that dairy needs to go somewhere.
You can get your fix of Gouda (pronounced how-duh in the Netherlands) at local markets or on one of the many food tours offered around Amsterdam. But don’t get so sidetracked that you miss the other must-see sights in the capital city.
Namely:
- Rijksmuseum
- Dam Square
- Ann Frank House
- Jordaan Canals
- Van Gogh Museum
- Vondelpark
- Heineken Experience
- Join a Bike Tour
- Herengracht (The Gabled House area)
- And of course The Red-Light District.
One of the best ways to see Amsterdam is from the water on a river cruise. Many companies either start or end journeys in the Netherlands, then continue on to other parts of Europe. If you’d like to find out more about Amsterdam or cruising though European rivers, please reach out to me by email, jennifer@gourmetadventurestravel.com or phone, 423-212-3044.
And, to learn even more about Dutch Gouda here’s the link to the official cheesy website: 🧀
https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/cheese.htm
At Gourmet Adventures Travel Co., I craft culinary getaways for travelers who love to eat well and yearn to truly savor the authentic side of their destination. From a river cruise through Provencal wine country to a journey through the heady spice markets and medinas of Morocco, you'll taste your way through the world's most enchanting landscapes.
