Maasdam

Maasdam is a traditional cheese made from cow's milk. This semi-hard cheese has a waxed rind that hides a creamy and supple texture specked with numerous large eyes. The aromas are fruity, while the flavors are mild, nutty, buttery, and sweet.

Maasdam is high in fat, with a minimum of 45%. It was created in the early 1990s as a replacement for the expensive Swiss Emmental cheese. The cheese ages from 4 to 12 weeks. When young, it's usually eaten as a snack or it's used in sandwiches. Maasdam can also be melted in soups, fondues, and casseroles.

It's recommended to pair it with Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Chianti, and IPA beer. The cheese is named after the village of Maasdam in Zuid-Holland.