Edam cheese is smooth and filling; it makes a good substitute for mild
cheddar.
Edam is a mild, semisoft Dutch cheese similar to Gouda. It is manufactured from part-skim pasteurized
milk, in 2- and 4-pound (0.9 to 1.8 kg) balls coated with bright red wax. Edam was originally
produced only as a part of the extensive cheese-making industry of Holland. Its flavor is
characterized as slightly salty and tangy, and it is smooth and filling.
Varieties
Edam is available is small portions, and also in 5 or 6 pound (2.25 to 2.7 kg) loaves; like
the smaller cheeses, these are also coated with bright red paraffin to preserve freshness.
Edam is now being produced on a relatively large scale in America, primarily in New York state
and Wisconsin, and the U.S. variety tends to be quite similar to the cheese manufactured in
Holland. Variations of Edam are produced in Germany, Finland, Spain, Portugal (there
it’s called “flamengo”), and South America.
French Edam
A French version of Edam, called “mimolette,” may be ripened for 6, 12, or 18
months. Notable varieties are produced in Normandy, the finest being those aged 12 to 18
months.
Dutch Edam
When the cheese has a black wax coating, it indicates that it was aged for at least 17
weeks. Some varieties are aged for as long as 10 months; the longer aging produces a flavorful
cheese considered excellent for cooking.
American Edam
In addition to the Edam cheese produced by bulk manufacturers, many other variations are
now being made by small, artisan producers.
Buying and storing tips
In its wax coating, Edam can be stored for up to a year. Once opened, it keeps for about a
month, when wrapped and refrigerated.
Availability
Edam is widely available, but aged or specialty versions are harder to find; look for them
in specialty stores or on the Internet.
Preparation, uses, and tips
Edam is a table cheese that is enjoyable at breakfast and in sandwiches; it’s also a
good grilling cheese, and can be substituted whenever a mild cheddar is called for.
Nutritional Highlights
Edam cheese, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 101
Protein: 7.1g
Carbohydrate: 0.405g
Total Fat: 7.9g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (207mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular
nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good
source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily
Value.
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