Taste true Dutch tradition || Travel test

What is real Dutch cheese?

I’m sure you’re familiar with Gouda and Edam cheese, but my goodness, there are so many towns around here that have amazing cheeses, including my own Zaanstreak. I dare say that some of my favorite flavors you may not have tried or even heard of, e.g Kuminkas (cumin cheese) and salty 48+ oud kaas (old cheese).

But I have a confession to make. There’s one Dutch cheese that I’ve always looked down on a bit.

This cheese is from a brand you can find in dedicated tourist shops all over Amsterdam and other Dutch cities (you’ll recognize it by the rows of cheese wheels in front of the windows), and in tourist spots like the Zaanse Schans and the Edam Cheese Market.

“This cheese is from the brand”Henry Willig“I had always assumed that the name ‘cheese farmer’ was fake and was just there to make tourists believe its authenticity. But on a recent press trip to Laag Holland, I was able to visit one of Henry Willig’s farms and learn the history behind the thriving business of this unique (and very real) man.”

Who is Henry Willig?

Cheesemaking has traditionally been a women’s task in Dutch culture, with farmers’ wives passing on cheesemaking skills to their daughters. The Netherlands has ideal conditions for dairy farming, as it enjoys fertile pastures and a moderate climate.

Cheese markets, farms and traditions have flourished throughout our country’s history, making cheese a vital part of Dutch identity and a beloved export.

Henry Willig grew up surrounded by cows on a dairy farm.”De Jacobs Hoff“In the town of Catwood in the Netherlands. As the only son in a family of five children, he completed his agricultural studies and took over the management of the family business in 1974. The entrepreneurial couple, along with his wife Riet, soon began exploring the idea of ​​producing their own cheese.

What type of cheese does Henry Willig make?

After taking a cheesemaking course, Henry and Riet Willig discovered the secret to making excellent cheese: starting with happy, healthy animals.

That’s why Henri Willig’s dairy farm focuses on organic, sustainable farming, free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Jersey cows spend at least 180 days a year outside, for a minimum of 12 hours per day. This allows them to exhibit natural behaviors and ensures they get as much rest as possible, reducing the risk of disease and enabling them to produce the highest quality milk.

Most of their cheeses are made from pasteurized milk, which is heated with rennet and a special starter culture for Willig’s signature flavour. They produce all different types of cheeses, from soft young cheeses and smoked cheeses to premium award-winning (aged) cheeses.

Some of the unique flavors they offer include “green pesto,” “coconut,” and even “beer” and “sparkling wine.” Besides cow cheeses, they also sell sheep and goat cheeses as well as “cheese accompaniments” such as dips, liqueurs, honey and mustard.

Where can you buy Henry Willig cheese?

Henri Willig cheese can be purchased in dedicated stores throughout the Netherlands and online. You’ll also find their cheeses in many local markets and gift shops in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Utrecht, Den Bosch and Maastricht.

In Zaanse Schans you can find Henri Willig on the farm ‘Catharina Hoeve’ and they also have a shop at the Edam Cheese Market (Edam Cheese Market). Kaswaj).

Visit Jacobs Hovey Catwood Cheese Farm

The city of Katwoude is located on Ijsselmerdijk (The dam) between the cities of Monnickendam and Volendam. Upon arrival, staff dressed in authentic costumes will show you how to prepare the cheese. After that you can visit the cheese shop.

The great thing is that most cheeses are pre-packaged and fit perfectly into gift packaging, because the cheese can easily be left out of the fridge for some time. It is packaged in such a way that you can also bring it on the plane home.

You can also go on a self-guided tour of Henri Willig’s organic farm in nearby Jersey. Here you’ll learn more about Henry Willig’s farm and sustainable agriculture and get to know the beautiful Jersey cows up close. We’re told that the Willig family’s big vision is to also build a new experience where you can see the cheese production process up close as well, so hopefully that will be added in the near future!

Address: Jacobs Hof, Hoogedijk 8, 1145 PM Catwood. Admission and parking are free, and as an individual visitor, you do not need to book in advance.

Open daily 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 1.

Visit Katarina Höffe cheese farm in Zaanse Schans

At the famous Zaanse Schans, known for its windmills, you already feel like you’ve stepped back in time, but at Catharina Hoeve, you’ll get that feeling even more so with shopkeepers dressed in traditional costumes.

In addition to the wonderful shopping experience, you will be taken through a professional demonstration of how cheese is prepared in ‘De Hal‘. In this former hay barn, the story of Henry Willig and his passion for animals and quality cheeses is told. The story can be listened to via an audio tour using a QR code. This audio tour is available in 6 languages; Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian. There is also space for various fun photo opportunities.

Address: Katharina Hof, Zeilenmakerspad 5, 1509 BZ Zaandam. Entry is free and you do not need to book in advance.

Open daily from October to February from 08:30 to 17:00 and from March to September from 8:00 to 18:00. Holiday hours: December 25 8:30-14:00, December 26 8:30-16:00 and January 1 10:00-17:00.