Alkmaar market, the Netherlands

Alkmaar Market © Manuel Canévet

We all know the Netherlands is a nation of cheese lovers, or kaas kops (cheese-heads in Dutch). This fascination with the fermented foodstuff is evident from the many cheese shops in the capital.

However, it is only when you step outside Amsterdam and venture into more typically Dutch cities that a truly (sur)real cheese experience can be found.

Welcome to Alkmaar, celebrated for its quirky cheese market, which retains its centuries-old traditions. Cheese farmers, merchants and connoisseurs gather to sample, share and consume their favourite varieties. To the outsider, the choice is overwhelming. But one only needs to speak to the men clad in white robes for samples and to learn about each cheese on offer. The market takes place weekly in summer.

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