Edam cheese is smooth and filling; it makes a good substitute for mild
cheddar.
Edam is a mild, semisoft Dutch cheese similar to
Gouda. It is manufactured from part-skim pasteurized milk, in 2- and 4-pound (0.9 to 1.8
kg) balls coated with bright red wax. Edam was originally produced only as a part of the
extensive cheese-making industry of Holland. Its flavor is characterized as slightly salty and
tangy, and it is smooth and filling.
Varieties
Edam is available is small portions, and also in 5 or 6 pound (2.25
to 2.7 kg) loaves; like the smaller cheeses, these are also coated with bright red paraffin to
preserve freshness. Edam is now being produced on a relatively large scale in America,
primarily in New York state and Wisconsin, and the U.S. variety tends to be quite similar to
the cheese manufactured in Holland. Variations of Edam are produced in Germany, Finland,
Spain, Portugal (there it’s called “flamengo”), and South America.
French Edam
A French version of Edam, called “mimolette,” may be
ripened for 6, 12, or 18 months. Notable varieties are produced in Normandy, the finest being
those aged 12 to 18 months.
Dutch Edam
When the cheese has a black wax coating, it indicates that it was
aged for at least 17 weeks. Some varieties are aged for as long as 10 months; the longer aging
produces a flavorful cheese considered excellent for cooking.
American Edam
In addition to the Edam cheese produced by bulk manufacturers, many
other variations are now being made by small, artisan producers.
Buying and storing tips
In its wax coating, Edam can be stored for up to a year. Once opened,
it keeps for about a month, when wrapped and refrigerated.
Availability
Edam is widely available, but aged or specialty versions are harder
to find; look for them in specialty stores or on the Internet.
Preparation, uses, and tips
Edam is a table cheese that is enjoyable at breakfast and in
sandwiches; it’s also a good grilling cheese, and can be substituted whenever a mild cheddar is called for.
Nutritional Highlights
Edam cheese, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 101
Protein: 7.1g
Carbohydrate: 0.405g
Total Fat: 7.9g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (207mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular
nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a
particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value.
Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries.
Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values
and the recommended daily guidelines.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights
reserved. www.healthnotes.com
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Foodnotes.
The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational
purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts.
Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using
any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed
medications. Information expires December 2003.
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