North Holland · Netherlands
Beemster.
Beemster's natural rind gives way to a dense, crystalline paste that melts into waves of caramel and butterscotch, with a subtle nuttiness and mineral salt that lingers on the palate. Each bite carries the richness of well-tended Dutch dairy cows, with a buttery mouthfeel that deepens as the cheese ages, developing increasingly complex layers of toasted grain and subtle complexity.
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Origin
52.7°N · 4.8°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Beemster takes its name from the Beemster polder in North Holland — the Netherlands' first large lake-reclamation polder, drained in 1612 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cheese has been made in this region since the 17th century, and the cooperative that produces it was founded in 1901.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Hard
- Rind
- wax
- Age
- 4–26 mo
- Intensity
- 3 / 5
- Texture
- hard
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Beemster's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 30–60 min before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a sturdy knife, or break it into craggy chunks with a spike — shards and shavings beat neat slices.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Beemster.
48 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Beemster are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Beemster at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
