Edam cheese

Edam(Dutch:Edammer[eːˈdɑmər]) is asemi-hard cheesethat originated in the Netherlands, and is named after the town ofEdamin the province ofNorth Holland.Edam is traditionally sold in flat-ended spheres with a pale yellow interior and a coat, or rind, of redparaffin wax. Edam ages and travels well and hardens, instead of spoiling, for an extended time. These qualities (among others) made it the world's most popular cheese between the 14th and 18th centuries, both at sea and in remote colonies.
Most "young" Edam cheeses sold in stores have a very mild flavour, slightly salty or nutty, and almost no smell when compared to other cheeses.As the cheese ages, its flavour sharpens, and it becomes firmer.Edam may have as little as 28%fat in dry matter. Modern Edam is softer than other cheeses, such asCheddar cheese, because of its low fat content.
Mild Edam goes well with fruit such as peaches, melons,apricots, and cherries. Aged Edam is often eaten with traditional "cheese fruits" likepearsand apples. Like most cheeses, it is commonly eaten oncrackersand bread, and may be eaten with crackers following the main course of a meal as a dessert of "cheese andbiscuits".Pinot gris,dryRiesling, semidry Riesling, sparkling wine,Chardonnay, andShiraz/Syrahare some recommended wines to accompany this cheese.
In Spain and some of its former colonies, such as the Philippines and many Latin American countries, the cheese is known asqueso de bola(ball cheese) and was long considered a delicacy.
In the Mexican state ofYucatán,queso de bolais prepared asqueso relleno("stuffed cheese"). A ball of cheese is cut in half and carved out; it is then stuffed with a mixture of seasoned ground meat, raisins, capers, and olives. Finally, it is braised in chicken stock, and served sliced with the chicken stock that has been thickened with cornstarch and spiced tomato sauce.
Edam is the most commoncheese used in the Czech Republic, where it is usually sold under the nameeidam. It is often used as the base of the snacksmažený sýr("fried cheese"),which is popular in the country and also in neighbouringSlovakia(Slovak:vyprážaný syr) where it may be served with a slice of ham (Slovak:so šunkou),and always withtartar sauce(tatarská omáčka) ormayonnaise.
InBelize, where it was once one of the few commercially available cheeses, it may also be known asqueso de calavera,queso de colorado, ordutch cheeseand usually eaten when well-aged and sharp, commonly with bread and coffee.
In Indonesia, Edam cheese is quite popular—due to historical ties with the Netherlands—and is known askeju edam. Generally, it is Edam cheese that is used for cookingkaasstengels, a snack that is served duringEid ul-Fitr,Christmas, and Chinese New Year.OtherIndonesian dishessuch asroti bakar,kue cubitandpannenkoekcan be served with Edam cheese as a topping.
In the Philippines,queso de bola(sometimes spelledkeso de bola) is popular duringChristmas in the Philippines, when Filipinos feast with family and friends. It is customarily served withjamónandpandesalduring theNoche Buena, the traditional feast taken around midnight ofChristmas Eveand lasting until the early hours ofChristmas Day.
The cheese is also associated with Christmas in Sweden and Norway due to its red color, and is often found on the ChristmasJulbordbuffet.
Edam has been treated dramatically and humorously in a variety of cultural art forms. In the novelAll Quiet on the Western Front, the main character believes its red outer covering is a sign of impending death. It is a wine aroma nuance inSidewaysand an object of desire in the animated filmShopper 13. Edam is a seriocomic pivot in the Australian filmThree Dollars.ActorJason Flemyngadvertised Edam in theUK.Edam was tested byMythBustersin episode 128for its putative suitability as cannon ammunition against a ship's sail, but it bounced off the sail without damaging it.
In Season 2 episode 24 ofWhose Line Is It Anyway?,Colin Mochrieplaying "Cheese Man" claims he doesn't "give edam", a cheese pun.Drew Careythen describes it as "crossword puzzle cheese". ("Dutch cheese that'smade backwards" is a well known clue for Edam incryptic crosswords.)