(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Himself and I have grand ideas and dreams of living back in New Zealand when we retire. We like the idea of a more relaxed lifestyle in a smaller city or town and a lot more space. Who knows what life will bring and if we will ever get there, but if we do, then there is is a list of typically Dutch things I will certainly painfully miss.
Near the top of this list will be some of the fabulous speciality cheese shops. You’ll find a kaaswinkel (cheese shop) in most neighbourhoods and they are well used because Dutch families have grow up with ready access and a plentiful supply of cheese… … and not content with a large cheese section of the supermarkets, the Dutch therefore expect not just average cheeses, but brilliant cheeses.
Cheeses to choose from come from approximately 200 dairy farms in the Netherlands who keep cows and make their own farmhouse cheeses on site, plus the added bonus of having the ”back yard called Europe” with each members countries amazing specialist cheeses too.
Even the boring common garden supermarket can give me a selection of seven or eight feta cheeses, all Greek, all different, all good (and cheap!)
Not all Specialist cheese shops are created equal… good ones there are aplenty, but great ones have customers who come from further afield just to stock up on wares that are not just good, but divine. This is why I’m taking you on a photo tour of one of the Hague’s best Specialist cheese shops.
Located at Fahrenheitstraat 625, owner Ed Boele has built up an amazing range of cheeses. I talked to him and his staff last year and took photos in the shop… and if you think it looks fabulous in these photos I have to warn you that he had recently had the entire shop refitted and everyone who’s been says that it’s now even better.
Sadly my lack of mobility has prevented me from seeing the new shop yet for myself, but I will get there eventually. In the meantime let’s take a look around at various parts of the old version of Ed’s shop and smile as we say “cheese!”".
Fahrenheitstraat 625 / 2561 DC DEN HAAG / Tel.: 070 – 3631819 / http://www.kaasspeciaalzaak.nl/
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
You wouldn’t think there was that much cheese in the world, let alone one shop.
Comment by Tilly Bud — October 4, 2011 @ 7:40 am |
Makes me feel quite hungry looking at these photos! A great kaaswinkel must be a fantastic place.
Comment by Elaine — October 4, 2011 @ 3:52 pm |
Oh, my…I could LIVE in that cheese shop! Hubby and I eat are fair share of cheese – probably more than we should, but we simply love good cheese! Is there nothing that cannot be made better with a bit o’cheese??
Comment by milkayphoto — October 4, 2011 @ 4:12 pm |
Wow thats a cheese haven! I can smell it from here
Comment by rsmacaalay — October 5, 2011 @ 6:41 am |