North Holland · Netherlands
Edam.
Edam greets you with a clean, milky aroma and a firm, slightly springy bite that yields to buttery, subtly nutty flavors with just a whisper of salt. Its texture is almost creaky between your teeth—semi-hard and compact—with a fresh cream sweetness that lingers without any sharpness or funk.
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The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Edam is named after the town of Edam in North Holland and has been traded from Dutch ports since the 14th century. Its compact flat-sided spherical shape and low fat content (due to partially skimmed milk) made it exceptionally durable for long sea voyages, and it became one of the world's most exported cheeses between the 14th and 18th centuries.
The red paraffin wax coating, applied for export, protected the rind during ocean transport; domestic Dutch consumption traditionally used yellow wax. Edam's relatively mild flavor at a lower price point drove its global popularity. The Codex Alimentarius standard CODEX STAN 265-1966 codifies international production.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Semi-hard
- Rind
- wax
- Age
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
Caseo's flavour axes are drawn from each cheese's flavour and aroma profile. This is Edam's fingerprint.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100g 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 semi-hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut thin half-moons or batons from the wedge; trim waxed or inedible rinds as you go.
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 Edam.
27 pairings across 6 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Edam are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Edam at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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