After a scenic afternoon exploring Zaanse Schans, our day trip continued to the charming fishing village of Volendam.
Known for its picturesque harbor, traditional Dutch houses, and vibrant cultural heritage, Volendam offered us a deeper insight into Dutch traditions, particularly the art of cheese-making. 🧀
Volendam: Home of the Cheese Factory 🧀
Upon arriving in Volendam, our first stop was the Cheese Factory Volendam.
This modern facility is dedicated to showcasing the rich history and cultural significance of cheese in the Netherlands. 🇳🇱
Cheese is an integral part of Dutch cuisine, with a history that dates back centuries. The Netherlands is renowned for its high-quality cheeses, including famous varieties like Gouda and Edam.
The Guided Tour Inside of Cheese Factory Volendam 💁♂️
We began our visit with a guided tour of the factory.
Our knowledgeable guide walked us through the entire cheese-making process, from the initial stages of milk collection to the final aging process. We learned about the different types of milk used, the role of bacteria and enzymes in cheese production, and the various techniques employed to achieve the distinct flavors and textures of Dutch cheeses.
One fascinating aspect of the tour was seeing the traditional methods still in use today. Despite modern advancements, many cheese producers in the Netherlands continue to rely on age-old techniques passed down through generations. This blend of tradition and innovation is part of what makes Dutch cheese so unique and beloved worldwide.
This video I found on YouTube captured a great look into the Cheese Factory:
Sampling the Cheese Flavors 🤤
After the tour, we were led to the gift shop where a wide selection of cheeses awaited us. The array of flavors was astounding, ranging from classic aged Gouda to more adventurous varieties infused with herbs, spices, and even truffles. Sampling the different cheeses was a highlight, allowing us to appreciate the craftsmanship and passion that goes into each block.
I couldn’t resist buying a block to bring back home to my family in the States. The rich, creamy textures and diverse flavors promised to be a hit at our next family gathering.
From the Volendam Cheese Factory, I bought the Reypenaer 2 year old aged cheese with a lightly salted nutty flavor.
I bought quite a few other interesting flavors in Amsterdam like beer flavored gouda cheese from Henri Willig. 🍺
Visiting Kaaskelder (The Cheese Cellar) 🧀
When we went back to Amsterdam, we visited a few other cheese stores. Henri Willig (Kaaskelder) was by far my favorite!
Strange as it may sound, the extra old goat cheese was actually my favorite. 🐐
They had a lot of interest cheese flavors that I’ve never seen before: coconut, pepper, red chili pepper, herbs and garlic and more. 🥥
More Cheese: The Amsterdam cheese Company
Another popular store in Amsterdam that sells great cheese is The Amsterdam Cheese Company.
Their 2 year old extra old aged cheese was my personal favorite!
Dinner in Volendam 🍽️
As the afternoon turned to evening, we decided to explore more of Volendam and find a place for dinner.
We chose the Haven Volendam, a cozy local spot renowned for its traditional Dutch cuisine. Here, I tried kibbeling, a popular Dutch dish consisting of battered and fried chunks of fish.
The crispy exterior and tender, flavorful fish inside made for a delicious meal. To complement the food, I sampled some local beer from Volendam, which was refreshing and perfectly paired with the kibbeling.
Boarding the Ferry ⛴️
After dinner, we reconnected with our tour group and prepared for the next leg of our journey. To our surprise and excitement, we were to board a ferry for our next destination. The ferry ride provided a scenic view of the Gouwzee, a section of the Markermeer, just below the IJsselmeer (the large lakes bordering Volendam.)
It was a peaceful and picturesque way to end our day in this charming village.
The scenic ferry ride was the perfect way to transition to our next adventure, leaving us with a sense of anticipation and excitement. Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll share more about our continuing journey to our final destination that awaited us on the other side of the Gouwzee!
My grandmother always used to say I was part mouse the way I loved cheese… I would have been in heaven there! Looks wonderful!
Hahahaha, you would love it there. Cheese is everywhere there. 😂
By the way, I was wondering if I could ask you an unrelated question! When I publish new posts, do you typically find them from email, RSS, or do you use WordPress’s Reader? And at that, if it’s Reader, do you interact there or typically click-through to my site?
Unfortunately Jetpack has made some changes for WordPress.org users (this refers to my website) and I’m considering disconnecting from Jetpack because of it. I’m just wondering what the implications may be, such as if you and some of my other frequent visitors typically like to read blog posts there, etc. I’m weighing that into my decision.
Please let me know. 🙂
I rely on the WordPress Reader for my blogs. It is easy to move from one post to the next on the reader. Any other questions? I will be glad to answer. Have a great week Rocky!
Ah ok, got it! Thank you so much for getting back to me on that! I wish Jetpack wasn’t making so many changes. I’ll try to keep the connection (which enables my posts to appear on Reader) around as long as I can. I also find various features useful from it, but they’re slowly stripping them away. So that’s why I asked. Thanks for the insight there!
New does not always mean improved… Jetpacks changes must benefit someone somewhere. Ha, ha!