Passendale cheese, named for
Passendale
Passendale () or Passchendaele ( , ; ) is a rural Belgian village in the Zonnebeke municipality of West Flanders province. It is close to the town of Ypres, situated on the hill ridge separating the historical wetlands of the Yser and Leie val ...
, the village where it originated, is one of the best-known cheeses of
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
. Regular Passendale cheese is produced in two versions, Classic and Prelude. There is also a premium version, Passendale Bel Age.
Passendale Cheese resembles a loaf of bread, with a round shape, and a hard but edible brown rind with spots of white. Inside, the flesh is golden, dotted with small holes and very creamy. It has a firm and damp consistency, slightly sweet bouquet and mild flavor.
History
The Donck family of Passendale started producing cheeses in 1932 with the cooperation of many of the area's milk producers. After
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the family began producing milk, butter and yoghurt as well, and eventually relocated their business to a former brewery. In 1978, they launched "de Groot Hof–Grand’Ferme", a cheese inspired by local tradition. In 1980, it was renamed Passendale for export purposes. In 1991 the Comelco group, owner of the company making Passendale, was bought by the
Dutch
Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
** Dutch people as an ethnic group ()
** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship ()
** Dutch language ()
* In specific terms, i ...
Campina company. The Bongrain group, which bought the company in 2007, has become the second-largest Belgian cheese producer.
Types of Passendale
Classic and Prelude
At the end of the ripening process, the rind of the Passendale Classic is brushed before it is packaged.
Passendale Bel Age
This special version of the cheese ripens for 6 months in the cellars of Cheesemaker Passendale, and has a more distinguished taste.
See also
*
List of cheeses
This is a list of cheeses by place of origin. Cheese is a milk-based food that is produced in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms. Hundreds of types of cheese from various countries are produced. Their styles, textures and flavors dep ...
References
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Zonnebeke
Belgian cheeses
Cow's-milk cheeses