Beemster Cheese Review

My brother-in-law was visiting so as we caught up on old times while playing pinochle. I served imported Beemster X. O. Extra Double Aged Gouda Cheese as a nosh. Grade A pasteurized cow’s milk gives it a sweet, soft consistency. Caramel colored with a butterscotch/whiskey/pecan taste, X. O. sharp and dry, aged 26 month, brittle, fragmenting upon slicing. Paired with good bread, green olives, cashews or fresh green grapes–yummy AND gone in a flash.

For lunch, I rustled up an ethnic favorite, kielbasa from the butcher’s with boiled potatoes and sauerkraut then back to more games. Double twelve dominos spread across the table, but we made room for Beemster Mustard Flavored premium gourmet Netherlands cheese. Its whole mustard grains did not overpower. What a finisher when accompanied by Stella Artois, focatta, and roasted tomatoes.

Off to Bunny’s–another story for another blog–Supper went off surprisingly well. Then we bid everyone adieu and returned to our own home for r&r. I looked into the refrigerator. Alas no leftovers, the price of going out to dine. So I pulled out some fine white wine, crackers, dried fruit and some Beemster Lite Matured, the last of the Dutch cheese.

In the morning I read a little about Beemster. It comes from pesticide-free pastures 20 feet below sea level. Imported from Holland, it retails at about $16.99 a pound. Averaging 8 grams protein and 120 calories per ounce, this is nutrition without the carbs. Fantastic for people with dietary concerns.

Beemster Graskaas is another selection that I read about that I’d like to try. Beemster Graskaas is a rare, extra smooth cheese made in April from the first milking of the cows as they leave the barn for the first time after the cold, windy winter. The milk taken during the first weeks of Spring is the creamiest and is used to create a special edition cheese to be released at the Spring Cheese Festival. This “Dutch Groundhog Day” signals the start to spring and is quite an experience to see as the cows literally run and jump with anticipation as they can now freely graze on the lush, untouched spring pastures of the Beemster polder.

Here is video of last year’s Graskaas.

Beemster cheeses are available in the U. S. in gourmet shops, grocery chains like Wegmans and Publix. Check the where to buy Beemster map to find the store nearest you.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.