Buy Leyden Cheese Online in Spain.
Visit our cheese shops with artisanal Dutch cheeses in Malaga or buy Leyden cheese online. Leyden Cheese: The Spiced Dutch Delight You Need to Try
What Is Leyden Cheese?
Leyden cheese, also known as Leidse kaas or Boeren-Leidse, is a traditional Dutch cheese known for its unique blend of spices—most notably cumin seeds (and sometimes caraway). This spiced cheese originates from the Leiden region of the Netherlands and has been loved for centuries for its tangy, savory flavor.
Unlike Gouda (48+) with cumin seeds, Leyden offers a firmer, drier texture and a bolder taste, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a flavorful low fat (30+), artisanal cheese with a pronounced cumin flavor.
A Bit of History
The origins of Leyden cheese date back to the 17th century, when Dutch farmers added cumin to their cheese as a preservative and for its distinct taste. The cheese became known as Boeren-Leidse kaas, or “Farmer’s Leyden,” and developed Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in parts of the EU due to its regional and historical importance.
What is the real Leyden cheese?
In the shops you can find all kinds of cheese with cumin. Since the 17th century, the Leiden farmer’s cheese makers have been pressing a special logo with the Leiden keys into the dark red crust.
Therefore, always ask for the Leyden-with-Keys. That is the only real Leyden cheese!
What Does Leyden Cheese Taste Like?
If you’re wondering about the Leyden cheese flavor profile, here’s what to expect:
- Leyden cheese is made from skimmed milk, it is a 30+ cheese, so it is nice and lean. The added cumin gives the cheese its own characteristic flavour. It is a dry cheese, with little salt and a touch of sourness.
It’s an ideal alternative to Gouda cheese with cumin for anyone looking for a more robust flavor.
Leyden Cheese vs. Gouda with Cumin
While both artisanal cheeses hail from the Netherlands, Leyden cheese vs Gouda with cumin comparisons highlight major differences:
| Feature | Leyden Cheese | Gouda with Cumin |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Firm, drier | Creamy, smooth |
| Flavor | Tangy, spiced (cumin) | Mild, buttery, spiced (cumin) |
| Spices | Yes (cumin) | Yes (cumin) |
| Aging Potential | Medium to long | Young to aged |
| Fat content | 30+ | 48+ |
| Cow breed | Blaarkop | Holstein |
| Milk | Skimmed milk | Whole milk |
| Milk treatment | Raw milk | Raw milk |
| Price per Kilo | € 23.40/Kg | € 19.60/Kg |
Buy Leyden cheese online – Milk from an ancient Dutch cow breed
The Blaarkop Cow and Leidse Cheese: A Heritage of Taste
The milk used in the production of authentic Leyden cheese comes from the Blaarkop cow, an iconic Dutch breed also known as the “blister head” due to the distinctive colored patches around its eyes. This breed, with its characteristic red or black body and white face, has been closely tied to the agricultural history of the Leiden region for centuries.
From the 17th century onwards, Blaarkop cattle were a common sight in the fertile polders surrounding Leiden. Farmers quickly discovered that the Blaarkop produced rich, creamy milk that was particularly well-suited for making high-quality butter and the region’s famous cheese—Leidse kaas. This cheese is unique for its crumbly texture, spiced with cumin, and its traditional red wax coating. It became a staple of Dutch cheesemaking culture, renowned for both its flavor and its craftsmanship.
In addition to its exceptional dairy qualities, the Blaarkop was also highly valued for its meat. Known for its fine texture and delicate flavor, Blaarkop beef was once widely sought after by butchers and chefs alike.
A Rare Dutch Treasure
Today, the Blaarkop is considered a rare and endangered cattle breed, with fewer than 2,000 registered purebred animals remaining in the Netherlands—fewer even than the number of giant pandas in the world. This once-ubiquitous cow, so integral to Dutch rural life and culinary heritage, now relies on dedicated cheese farmers and conservationists to preserve its lineage and legacy.
Reviving interest in Blaarkop dairy and promoting traditional products like the authentic Leyden cheese and the best quality butter is not just a celebration of flavor—it’s a step toward safeguarding a vital piece of the Netherlands’ agricultural history.
How to Enjoy Leyden Cheese
Whether you’re creating a cheeseboard or a gourmet sandwich, Leyden cheese with cumin adds something special. Here are a few pairing ideas:
- Serve with dark bread and mustard
- Add to a cold-cut platter with pickles
- Pair with a craft beer or dry white wine
- Grate over potatoes for a spiced topping
Where to Buy Leyden Cheese Online in Spain
If you’re craving this Dutch delicacy in Spain, you’re probably wondering:
- Where to buy Leyden cheese?
- Can I buy Leyden cheese online in Spain?
Craxi Queso cheese shops in Malaga, Spain, offer the most extensive range of artisanal Dutch cheeses.
Cheese shop locations in Malaga:
- Mercado de la Merced: Craxi Queso.
- Mercado de Huelin: Craxi Queso.
The good news is: You can now easily buy Leyden cheese online at Craxi Queso.
The tastiest artisanal Dutch cheeses delivered to your home in Spain
Orders placed through our online store are delivered directly to your home within the Spanish peninsula using a refrigerated transport service.
To ensure maximum freshness, we cut and vacuum-seale the cheese you purchase on the day of shipping and add special cheese paper to the box.
Delivery time: If the carrier collects your cheese order from our cheese shop in Malaga, it will be delivered to your home on the peninsula the next day before 1:30 p.m.
Free shipping on orders over 80 euros in the cheese webshop – Shipping costs.
Why You Should Try Leyden Cheese (Boeren-Leidse)
If you love bold flavors, traditional foods, or are simply a cheese enthusiast, Leyden cheese deserves a spot in your kitchen. With its cumin-spiced punch and historic roots, it’s one of the most unique cheeses available today.
How can you contact us in Malaga?
If you have any questions about our artisan Dutch cheeses, shipping or online cheese order, please feel free to contact us via the contact form on the website or use the WhatsApp button. We will get back to you as soon as possible with an answer.
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