There are several cheese markets in Netherlands during summer (Alkmaar, Edam, Gouda, Hoorn and Woerden). Visitors can see the re-enactments of colourful traditional cheese market action, which is held each week during summer. The cheese market that I visited was Edam.
Getting there:
The easiest way to get to Edam is to buy the EBS day ticket which allows you 1 day unlimited bus ride to Amsterdam Waterland. It's 9 euros if you buy it online which is 10% cheaper than buying at the ticket office. After downloading the e-ticket, you must exchange it at the ticket office at the rear end of Amsterdam Central Station.
http://www.localbus.nl/
After exchanging my e-ticket, I proceeded to the bus platform level.
To get to Edam, you can take bus 312, 314 or 316 and get down at De Meermin or Busstation bus stop at Edam.
This is Jansbrug, a wooden drawbridge at Edam.
Edam village also has its own canals.
A cheese shop in Edam.
Passed by many cute shops in Edam.
Finally reached my destination - Edam Cheese Market.
The cheese market in Edam will take place every Wednesday from July 3 until August 21, 2019, from 10.30 till 12.30pm. There will also be the evening market in Edam on August 10 (Saturday), from 8.30pm untill 10pm.
Edam has a long historical heritage of production and commerce of cheeses. Edam cheese are known over the world due to its exclusive taste.
The cheese market started with farmer bringing the cheese to market by horse-drawn cart.
It was the last day of Edam Cheese Market during my visit.
The traders had their cheese 'laid down' by special cheese carriers.
Next, the traders took a sample of the cheese by using a special cheese drill and tasted the cheese to assess its quality.
Once it was found to be of acceptable quality, the cheese bearers transported the cheese to the weighing scale in the Waag (weighing house), where the old ritual of bargaining and clapping hands takes place.
When the seller and buyer reached an agreement, the price held for the entire batch production and the cheeses were taken to the vehicle or boat of the buyer.
Statues of cheese carriers in front of the Waag. The current Waag was built in 1778.
Visitors can also buy cheese from the cheese sellers at the market.
At the other side of the market, cheese were brought to the market by boat. It was quite an unique sight to see how they unloaded the cheese.
The village itself is quite charming even without the cheese market.
Overall, I really like the lively atmosphere of the cheese market. It is certainly an unique experience to see how cheese is being traded the traditional way.
Edam Cheese Market
July 3 until August 21, 2019, from 10.30 till 12.30pm.
August 10 (Saturday), from 8.30pm untill 10pm.
Free entrance.
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