Alkmaar is a small city in The Netherlands, known for its traditional cheese market held on Fridays between 10am and 12 pm during the summer in Waagplein square. The tradition goes back to 1635. The traditional fare of this cheese market are cheeses made in the local area. You cannot buy cheese at the market itself, which is really only a demonstration of how this merchants’ market operated in times gone by – in other words, it’s just for tourists. The demonstration takes place in front of the medieval weighing house. You’ll recognize it by the cheese carriers running back and forth with wheels of cheese.
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| Alkmaar cheese market |
Around the weighing house are stalls of vendors that sell, and allow you to sample all kinds of cheese, or even buy a small plate of cheese to snack on. If you plan on buying cheese to bring home, some cheese are available in smaller sizes, sealed in wax – so no refrigeration needed.
My favorite vendor was Klaverkaas, a cheese company based out of Winkel, North Holland. Some of the amazing flavors available for sampling, and purchase, include Garlic and Herb and herbal goat cheese (kruiden).
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| Klaverkas cheese, and my travel mouse, Eddi |
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