Zaanse Schans Cheese Farm

The Catharina Hoeve is the cheese farm at the Zaanse Schans, and it is one of the busiest attractions in the open-air museum, because it gives visitors a chance to see a traditional product made in front of them. The farm is housed in a building in the Oostzaan style, a national monument, and it was set up in 1987 as a gift from the Albert Heijn supermarket company, whose founder began his first small shop in nearby Oostzaan in 1887. The farm was meant to show the Zaan region's dairy tradition, and it still does this, in a setting of green wooden buildings beside the water.

The main draw is the cheese-making demonstration. A cheesemaker works with large copper vats of milk, adding rennet to curdle it, cutting the curd, draining the whey and pressing the curd into moulds to form the round cheeses that Dutch cheese is known for. The process is explained as it goes on, and visitors can see each step, from the warm vat to the finished wheel, which is then pressed and left to ripen in brine and on shelves. Gouda and Edam are the classic Dutch types, and they differ in shape and fat content, but the technique is similar. The demonstrations run through the day, and are repeated, so there is little need to plan a particular time.

Tasting is part of the visit. The farm sells many varieties, including young and aged Gouda, Edam, and cheeses made from goat's and sheep's milk, and flavoured types, including nettle, and visitors can taste before buying. The shop sells cheese in various sizes, with vacuum packing that is convenient for travel, as well as cheese slicers, boards and other gifts. Prices are higher than in supermarkets, so it is a purchase for the experience and the souvenirs. Entry is free, and the farm is open daily, with slightly longer hours in the summer months.

The farm is often crowded, particularly around midday, when tour buses arrive, and in summer and school holidays. Going early in the morning or late in the afternoon gives a quieter experience. Visitors who want a more authentic market feel can visit the local markets in Zaandam or one of the traditional cheese markets, such as those at Alkmaar or Edam.

The Zaanse Schans offers the windmills, the clog workshop, the Zaans Museum, the Czaar Peterhuisje and many other attractions within a short walk. The farm suits families, food lovers and those curious about how cheese is made. Allow thirty minutes, and combine it with the rest of the village.