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Edam cheese market
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When:
Annually in July and August. (exect dates in 2009 TBC)
Where: Edam, Netherlands
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Edam has a historical heritage of long years of production and commerce of cheeses. The cheeses that are made in the local dairies are known over the world due to its exclusive taste. Its source is in the milk of the beef that are feed on the natural fodder fields of the dried sea areas.
As a result, the land and the salty sea breeze create pasture with special qualities that have influence on quality and taste of the dairy cattle's milk.
The knowledge of producing the exclusive cheese of north Holland, which is called (in Dutch) ''BeemsterKaas'', passes from time immemorial.
The cheese has low salt content and a soft and smooth texture. In former years the cheeses were sold to the Belgium, Luxembourg and France but now days it is sold all over the world.
The cheese market day in Edam which is similar to the cheese market in Alkmaar
preserves a noisy colorful ancient tradition from the 15th century.
In the process of the purchase, the buyer digs a hole in the cheese with a special drill. He pulls out a piece of the cheese and checks its quality and taste. According to it, the seller and the buyer begin a negotiation on the price of the cheese. When they reach an agreement, the price holds for the entire batch production. At the end of the negotiation, the cheeses are carried to a weighing house on a wheelbarrow or on special carriage like stretcher. Later on it is taken to the vehicle or the boat of the buyer. All the commerce and negotiation that are held according to the ancient tradition looks very amusing, but it is very sincere and definitely real.
The market is held in July and August, every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In advance, on the first Saturday of August, the market is active also at the evening between 21:00 to 23:00. On this day, a street fair is held from 16:00. The market's events attract thousands of spectators, locals and tourists that come to watch the unique commerce. During the summer, due to the high occupancy of the city hotels, early order will enable an acquisition of a good room in a reasonable price.
The fabulous atmosphere and the wonderful taste of the Edam cheese turn the cheese market to an event that should be missed.
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Watch Video:
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IMPORTANT:
Please note that the details of the event are subject to change.
We strongly recommended that you check with the organizers
before making any travel arrangements.
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Event related information:
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Edam cheese market
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Contact:
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info@vvv-edam.nl
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Tourist Information Office Edam
Damplein 1
PO Box 91
1135 ZJ Edam
The Netherlands
Phone: + 299-315125
Fax: + 299-374236
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| Admission fee: |
Free |
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Online hotel reservations:
background and overview:
The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
[Courtesy of The World Factbook]
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 Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany. |
Languages:
Dutch (official), Frisian (official) |
Climate:
Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters. |
Capital:
Amsterdam |
Time Zone:
UTC+1 (Summer UTC+2) |
Currency (code):
euro (EUR) |
Call Code:
+31 |
Electric Power:
230V 50Hz |
Tourist office:
Toerisme Recreatie Nederland (Netherlands Board of |
Tourist website:
Click Here |
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