Editing Edam cheese

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Short description|Semi-hard Dutch cheese}}
{{Infobox Cheese
| name          = Edam<br/>{{Nobold|{{native name|nl|Edammer}}}}
| image         = [[File:SmallEdamCheese.jpg|260px|Small, spherical Edam cheese]]
| othernames    = 
| country       = [[Netherlands]]
| region        = [[Edam-Volendam]]
| town          = [[Edam, Netherlands|Edam]]
| source        = [[Cow]]s
| pasteurised   = Yes
| texture       = Semi-hard
| fat           = 11g/100g
| protein       =
| dimensions    =
| weight        =
| aging         = 4 weeks – 10 months
| certification = Yes<ref>[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52008XC0301(09) Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006]</ref>
}}
'''Edam''' ({{langx|nl|Edammer}} {{IPA|nl|eːˈdɑmər||nl-edammer.ogg}}) is a [[semi-hard cheese]] that originated in the Netherlands, and is named after the town of [[Edam, Netherlands|Edam]] in the province of [[North Holland]].<ref>[http://www.edam-volendam.nl Official Edam Town website] Tourist information. Retrieved 11 April 2007</ref> Edam is traditionally sold in flat-ended spheres with a pale yellow interior and a coat, or rind, of red [[paraffin 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.<ref name=Miller>{{cite book |title=Cheese For Dummies |first1=Laurel |last1=Miller |first2= Thalassa |last2=Skinner |first3=Ming |last3=Tsai |year=2012 |publisher=[[Culture Magazine]], [[John Wiley & Sons]] |pages=209, 210 |isbn=9781118099391 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tRdj4Slk2_QC&pg=PA210|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="EdamHist">[http://www.edam.com/edam_cheese.htm History of Edam Cheese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026075505/http://www.edam.com/edam_cheese.htm |date=26 October 2011 }} Edam.com. Retrieved 11 April 2007</ref>

==Content==
[[File:Cheese 13 bg 050306.jpg|thumb|left|Edammer cheese with crackers]]
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.<ref>
{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/cheeseprimer00jenk|url-access=registration|quote=edam.| title=Cheese Primer| author=Jenkins, Steven W.| access-date=25 May 2010| publisher=[[Workman Publishing Company]]| pages=[https://archive.org/details/cheeseprimer00jenk/page/373 373]| year=1996|isbn=0-89480-762-5}}
</ref> As the cheese ages, its flavour sharpens, and it becomes firmer.<ref name="EdamHist"/> Edam may have as little as 28% [[fat in dry matter]]. Modern Edam is softer than other cheeses, such as [[cheddar cheese]], because of its low fat content.

==Accompaniments==
Mild Edam goes well with fruit such as peaches, melons, [[apricot]]s, and cherries. Aged Edam is often eaten with traditional "cheese fruits" like [[pear]]s and apples. Like most cheeses, it is commonly eaten on [[Cracker (food)|crackers]] and bread, and may be eaten with crackers following the main course of a meal as a dessert of "cheese and [[biscuit]]s". [[Pinot gris]], [[Sweetness of wine|dry]] [[Riesling]], semidry Riesling, sparkling wine, [[Chardonnay]], and [[Syrah|Shiraz/Syrah]] are some recommended wines to accompany this cheese.<ref>Slinkard, Stacy [http://wine.about.com/od/servingwines/a/wineandcheese.htm Serving Wine and Cheese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129195524/http://wine.about.com/od/servingwines/a/wineandcheese.htm |date=29 November 2011 }} About.com. Retrieved 8 April 2010.</ref>

==Regional uses==
{{more citations needed|section|date=June 2019}}

===Spain and former colonies===
In Spain and some of its former colonies, such as the Philippines and many Latin American countries, the cheese is known as ''queso de bola'' (ball cheese) and was long considered a delicacy.

In the Mexican state of [[Yucatán]], ''queso de bola'' is prepared as ''queso 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.<ref>Queso Relleno Recipe. [https://www.chefspencil.com/queso-relleno-yucateco-mexican-stuffed-cheese/ Chef's Pencil.] Retrieved 5 February 2013.</ref>

===Czech Republic and Slovakia===

Edam is the most common<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/ekonomika/1052022-cesko-je-tavenakova-velmoc-jak-poznat-kvalitni-syry |title=Česko je taveňáková velmoc. Jak poznat kvalitní sýry? |work=Česká televize |date=January 22, 2014 |language=cs}}</ref> cheese used in the Czech Republic, where it is usually sold under the name ''eidam''. It is often used as the base of the snack ''[[smažený sýr]]'' ("fried cheese"),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Czech Republic: Smažený sýr|url=https://www.196flavors.com/czech-republic-smazeny-syr/|last=Benayoun|first=Mike|date=2018-01-14|website=196 flavors|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> which is popular in the country and also in neighbouring [[Slovakia]] ({{langx|sk|vyprážaný syr}}) where it may be served with a slice of ham ({{langx|sk|so šunkou}}),<ref>Slovak Food [http://travel.spectator.sme.sk/articles/1234/slovak_food TravelSpectator.sk.]  Retrieved 10 November 2010.</ref> and always with [[tartar sauce]] (''tatarská omáčka'') or [[mayonnaise]].

===Belize===

In [[Belize]], where it was once one of the few commercially available cheeses, it may also be known as ''queso de calavera,'' ''queso de colorado'', or ''dutch cheese'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ambergristoday.com/content/25-years-ago/2016/01/06/dutch-cheese-tin-can-stilts-telephone |date=January 6, 2016 |title=Remembering When WE USED TO...in San Pedro Village No. 10 |first=Angel |last=Nuñez |work=[[Ambergris Today]]}}</ref> and usually eaten when well-aged and sharp, commonly with bread and coffee.

===Indonesia===

In Indonesia, Edam cheese is quite popular—due to historical ties with the Netherlands—and is known as ''keju edam''. Generally, it is Edam cheese that is used for cooking ''[[kaasstengels]]'', a snack that is served during [[Lebaran|Eid ul-Fitr]], [[Christmas in Indonesia|Christmas]], and Chinese New Year.<ref>https://indonesiaeats.com › kaasteng...Hasil webIs it Kaastengels, Kastengel or Kaasstengels? - Indonesia Eats</ref> Other [[Indonesian cuisine|Indonesian dishes]] such as ''roti bakar'', ''[[kue cubit]]'' and ''[[pannenkoek]]'' can be served with Edam cheese as a topping.

===Philippines===

In the Philippines, ''queso de bola'' (sometimes spelled ''keso de bola'') is popular during [[Christmas in the Philippines]], when Filipinos feast with family and friends. It is customarily served with ''jamón'' and ''pandesal'' during the [[nochebuena|''Noche Buena'']], the traditional feast taken around midnight of [[Christmas Eve]] and lasting until the early hours of [[Christmas Day]].<ref>Carballo, Bibsy (2 August 2009). [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090902-223260/Our-one-of-a-kind-queso-de-bola Our one-of-a-kind ‘queso de bola’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906105254/http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090902-223260/Our-one-of-a-kind-queso-de-bola |date=6 September 2009 }}. Philippine Daily Inquirer.</ref>

===Scandinavia===
The cheese is also associated with Christmas in Sweden and Norway due to its red color, and is often found on the Christmas ''[[Smörgåsbord|Julbord]]'' buffet.

==In popular culture==

Edam has been treated dramatically and humorously in a variety of cultural art forms. In the novel ''[[All 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 in ''[[Sideways]]''<ref name="salon1">{{cite web|title = Would you like some whine with that cheese?|url = http://open.salon.com/blog/doyoucompete/2010/01/31/113_sidewayswould_you_like_some_whine_with_that_cheese|work = Salon.com|first = N.|last = Jordan|date = 31 January 2010|access-date = 7 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120809054451/http://open.salon.com/blog/doyoucompete/2010/01/31/113_sidewayswould_you_like_some_whine_with_that_cheese|archive-date = 9 August 2012|url-status = dead}}</ref> and an object of desire in the animated film ''[[Cracking Contraptions#Shopper 13|Shopper 13]]''. Edam is a seriocomic pivot in the Australian film ''[[Three Dollars]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title = David Wenham goes from strength to strength.|format = Transcript|url = http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1343061.htm|publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date = 11 April 2005|first = Tracy|last = Bowden|access-date = 7 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150908042957/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1343061.htm|url-status = live|archive-date=8 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=Three Dollars |time=1:08:33| people=[[Robert Connolly|Connolly, Robert (Director)]] | year=2005 | medium=Motion picture | location=Australia | publisher=Dendy Films}}</ref> Actor [[Jason Flemyng]] advertised Edam in the [[UK]].<ref>Lloyd, Dan (8 August 2008) [https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/celebs-on-sunday/2008/08/08/jason-flemyng-i-m-quite-sexy-if-you-like-gingers-115875-20689465/ Jason Flemyng:I'm sexy if you like gingers]. ''[[Daily Mirror|The Mirror]]''. Retrieved 15 February 2010.</ref> Edam was tested by ''[[MythBusters]]'' in episode 128<ref name="mythpri1">{{cite web|title=MythBusters - Greased Lightning |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-greased-lightning/ |publisher=Discovery.com |date=28 October 2009 |access-date=7 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110123829/http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-greased-lightning |archive-date=10 January 2012 }}</ref> for its putative suitability as cannon ammunition against a ship's sail, but it bounced off the sail without damaging it.<ref name="mythpri2">{{cite web|title = Episode 128: Greased Lightning – Results|url = http://mythbustersresults.com/greased-lightning|publisher = MythbustersResults.com|date = 28 October 2009|access-date = 7 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150908044425/http://mythbustersresults.com/greased-lightning|archive-date=8 September 2015 |url-status = usurped}}</ref>

In Season 2 episode 24 of [[Whose Line Is It Anyway?]], [[Colin Mochrie]] playing "Cheese Man" claims he doesn't "give edam", a cheese pun. [[Drew Carey]] then describes it as "crossword puzzle cheese". ("Dutch cheese that's ''made backwards''" is a well known clue for Edam in [[Cryptic crossword|cryptic crosswords]].)

==See also==
{{Commons category|Edam cheese}}
{{Portal|Netherlands|Food}}
*[[List of cheeses]]
*[[Babybel]]
*[[Molbo cheese|Molbo]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Dutch cheeses}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edam (cheese)}}
[[Category:Belizean cuisine]]
[[Category:Dutch cheeses]]
[[Category:Cow's-milk cheeses]]
[[Category:Culture of North Holland]]
[[Category:Czech cuisine]]
[[Category:Edam-Volendam]]
[[Category:Filipino cuisine]]
[[Category:Indonesian cuisine]]
[[Category:Latin American cuisine]]
[[Category:Mexican cuisine]]
[[Category:Norwegian cuisine]]
[[Category:Spanish cuisine]]
[[Category:Swedish cuisine]]