Why the Netherlands is world-famous for its cheese

Why are the Dutch known for their cheese around the world? How did the Netherlands become one of the largest cheese exporters in the world? And what does the future hold for Dutch cheese in times of climate change? DW reporter Anooshay Abid traveled to Alkmaar to find out.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:36 Cheese production in the Netherlands
00:56 Cheese Market in Alkmaar
01:57 Dutch cheese varieties
03:16 How the Dutch became pioneers in cheese-making
04:53 The impact of cheese
05:51 Environmental aspects

CREDITS
Report: Anooshay Abid
Camera: Nuno Ortiz de la Torre
Edit: Dirk Houben
Supervising editor: Ruben Kalus

Thumbnail photograph: © picture alliance

#cheese #netherlands #dutchcheese
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[Kriwistus]

Something important that was left out in the video on why cheese production became so big in the Netherlands was that while the lands in the polders along the coast (much of those are below sea level) were very fertile, the wet and saline conditions made it unsuitable for many crops to be grown. However, it was very favorable for grass and other plants that were beneficial for livestock. So not only was the land very favorable for cattle herding (like the video mentions), but historically speaking, it was also one of the few uses that could be done with it.

[mln]

Hooray for Netherlands and their cheese making and eating culture. I've had the honour of living there for a few weeks and enjoyed their cheese culture very much.

[GuapoDelmonte]

It's almost unbelievable that the Netherlands is one of the biggest "agricultural producers" in the World, when you
consider the size of their country, that is very fertile but small in territory. They are doing something very right with
their land, including some "land reclamation" from the sea, that is apparently "their most fertile lands" - as those
reclaimed lands are generally flat, sandy, fertile, the weather on the coast usually not very cold, warm sea gusts,
when the sun is out. They also reckon, that the milk cows eating the grass on reclaimed land, gives it a salty taste,
which is good for the cheese-making, even "their cows" the Holstein-Frisian is the most productive dairy cows in
the World, developed right there, they have about 90% of the market. The Netherlands, cows, cheese, chips & beer.

The Dutch have exported the cows, can they now export at least a few farmers, to teach the rest, HOW IT'S DONE.

[dennisdec]

Edam cheese is very popular in the Philippines 🇵🇭 as it's a staple during Christmas time.

[winglift]

Enjoyed the information, the presenter's skill, the interviewees, and all the sights captured from Holland. Thanks! I love edam cheese and eat a small piece made in New Zealand with breakfast every day.

[parmentier]

That calcium story may well be true. I am third generation Indonesian descent. Both my grandparents were born in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), to be precise, on Java and the South Moluccan Islands. My (Asian) parents were born in the Netherlands. My height and that of my cousins ​​(also 3rd generation) is 175cm. But my cousins ​​in Indonesia of the same age are a lot smaller than us. My female cousins ​​in the Netherlands are taller than my male cousins ​​in Indonesia.

[auro]

cheese is solid easy to take around and store where milk is liquid that leaks and spills

[ShaurHumayun]

This is really fun to watch and very informative!

[hattafayub]

Who is this reporter? she shared this info in really cool & catchy way

[blondstallion]

Go to the markets outside of the centre Of Amsterdam or any town.
Don;t buy a brand cheese like Henry Willig or Old Amsterdam who have their own shops with no other cheeses than their own brand, , thats factory made cheese. . Go to a cheese shop that also sells Parmiggiano, Brie and Camembert.
And then ask for a Dutch cheese made of raw milk made by a farmer of whom the shop owner knows his name.
Like boer Jaap Schep, Boer Wouter or any other boer that makes his own cheese.
The difference is stunning.

[Nousinvisibles]

Netherlands is a multihyphenate, they have oil, the only chip maker in Europe, most popular gouda cheese, Heineken beer, biggest shipping port in Rotterdam, most beautiful

[Sammy_kh]

Very informative and fun to watch, job well done Reporter 😊

[Procheeseaddict]

Oh boy sure do love to see some new cheese videos around

[SiegfriedPretsch]

The remark of a changing climate is stupendous!!!
Cheese is here to stay!

[riproar]

Misinformation. Not all Dutch people, but Dutch men are the tallest on Earth. Latvian women are the tallest on Earth averaging at 5 foot 6"-7" (1.6764 meters) but during my many travels there you will encounter so many very tall women you wont see anywhere else you travel.

[khagga]

This video just went to the next level! Incredible narration and super engaging content. DW always brings the best, and this one is top-notch! 🌟👏 Well done Noosh!

[nightgoblin]

We have a cheese country for rich peeps these days :(

[neothaka]

Cheese is the one of the biggest things I miss since I left for Asia. We've got cheese here, but it ain't the real deal.

[xcel]

Cheese manufacture is way less polluting than meat, poultry, auto, steel, guns, alcohol, etc

[thandisilec]

The Dutch aren’t the tallest ppl in the world…South Sudanese are tallest