Discovering the Cheeses of Belgium

That's Food and Drink is researching and writing about the cheeses of the various countries of Europe. This blogpost is one of these.

Belgium, often celebrated for its chocolate, waffles, and beer, also boasts a remarkable array of cheeses that reflect its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscape. 

While Belgian cheese might not enjoy the same global fame as French or Italian varieties, it certainly holds its own with a distinctive charm and flavour profile. 

Let’s embark on a delectable journey through the cheeses of Belgium, exploring their unique characteristics and the regions they come from.

A Brief History of Belgian Cheese

Cheese-making in Belgium dates back to medieval times when monks in abbeys began crafting cheeses not only for sustenance but also as a means of generating income. The tradition flourished over the centuries, incorporating influences from neighbouring countries and adapting to local tastes and agricultural practices. Today, Belgium produces a wide variety of cheeses, from soft and creamy to hard and aged, each with its own story and taste.

Notable Belgian Cheeses

Gouda

Region: Flanders

Characteristics: While Gouda is originally Dutch, the Belgian variant is highly esteemed. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk, with a mild, slightly sweet flavour that becomes more complex as it ages.

Uses: Perfect for melting in sandwiches, grating over dishes, or enjoying on its own with a slice of bread.

Herve

Region: Liège, Wallonia

Characteristics: Herve is a unique, soft, washed-rind cheese with a pungent aroma and a strong, tangy flavour. It is one of the few Belgian cheeses to have an Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) status.

Uses: Traditionally served with bread and beer or used to add a robust flavour to various dishes.

Brussels Cheese (Brusselse Kaas)

Region: Brussels

Characteristics: This fresh cheese has a crumbly texture and a mild, slightly sour taste. It is usually enjoyed young and does not undergo significant ageing.

Uses: Often used in salads, as a spread, or eaten with fresh herbs.

Passendale

Region: West Flanders

Characteristics: Named after the village of Passendale, this semi-soft cheese is known for its mild, nutty flavour and creamy texture. It has a natural rind and is made from cow’s milk.

Uses: Great for cheese platters, sandwiches, and cooking.

Boulette d’Avesnes

Region: Hainaut

Characteristics: This distinctive cheese is shaped like a cone and has a reddish colour due to the addition of paprika and other spices. It offers a spicy, tangy taste and a firm texture.

Uses: Often served with beer or used to add a spicy kick to dishes.

Limburger

Region: Limburg

Characteristics: Known for its strong smell, Limburger is a soft, creamy cheese with a robust, earthy flavour. It is made from cow’s milk and is often enjoyed after a few months of ageing.

Uses: Traditionally paired with rye bread and onions, or used to enhance the flavour of hearty dishes.

Pairing Belgian Cheese with Belgian Beer

Belgium’s beer culture is world-renowned, and pairing its cheeses with local brews is a culinary delight. The robust, complex flavours of Belgian ales, lambics, and trappist beers complement the rich, varied tastes of the cheeses perfectly. For instance, the tangy Herve cheese pairs beautifully with a fruity lambic, while the creamy Passendale is delightful with a crisp Belgian blonde ale.

Visiting Belgian Cheese Markets

To truly appreciate Belgian cheese, a visit to one of the many cheese markets is a must. Cities like Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp host regular markets where you can sample a wide range of local cheeses, often accompanied by expert advice from cheesemongers. These markets provide a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Belgian culinary traditions and discover new favourites.

Conclusion

Belgium’s cheeses are a testament to its rich agricultural tradition and the artisanal skills of its cheese makers. From the aromatic Herve to the creamy Passendale, each cheese offers a unique taste of Belgian culture. So, next time you savour a Belgian beer or plan a visit to this charming country, don’t miss the chance to explore its delightful cheeses – they’re sure to add a delicious dimension to your experience.

Cocoba Chocolate introduces Halloween themed chocolates and hot chocolates!

Cocoba, the Kentish chocolate company justifiably famed for producing utterly irresistible chocolate and hot chocolate gifts, has launched this year’s Halloween range.

The delicious sphere-shaped Halloween “Hot Chocolate Bombes” are handmade using only luxurious Belgian chocolate and literally bursting with hidden treats from jellies to marshmallows. 

Flavours will include orange hot chocolate and unique spooky green hot chocolate. These Halloween delights are available as a pack of three for £9.95.

Cocoba’s Belgian chocolate Halloween themed lollipops priced at £1.95 each are ideal for little trick or treaters or to share if you are hosting a party.  

From orange flavoured pumpkin lollipops to ghoulish ghost chocolate lollipops, Cocoba’s Halloween range has something for everyone.

For the ultimate, cosy night in, the tasty “Hot Chocolate Spoons” are an absolutely perfect accompaniment. Just simply add some steaming milk and the chocolate melts to create a warming, utterly delicious drink.  

The spoons are carefully crafted using indulgent Belgian chocolate and sold individually for £3.50.  Flavours will include a milk chocolate spoon with a white chocolate ghost and a block of orange flavoured chocolate served with a helping of mini marshmallows.

Cocoba Chocolate have really crafted a delightfully wicked range of Halloween treats for all chocolate lovers to enjoy.  

Please visit Cocoba Chocolate’s website for more information including their vegan chocolate product range.

www.CocobaChocolate.com

So, what's available? Cocoba’s chocolate product range includes Belgian hot chocolate, chocolate bars and lollipops, truffles and buttons, and a growing range of vegan dark and ‘milk’ chocolates, too.

Cocoba’s range is available from the above website and also from Cocoba’s flagship chocolate café at the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, independent farm shops, high quality delis, John Lewis, Selfridges and more, besides. Of course, all products are handmade in Kent. 

To receive 10% off please do join their mailing list also free delivery on orders of  over £35.

(EDITOR: I'm just imaging the awesome chocolatey smell of the shop and the production kitchens!)

Pure, natural beer indulgence with Daas

Daas is a new range of premium, organic & handmade craft beers, lovingly & traditionally brewed in Belgium and strictly follow the same brewing method dating back over 9 centuries.

Daas produce premium & organic beers that strictly follow the Belgian brewing principles & techniques dating back over 900 years. Brewed in Hainaut the Belgian province renowned for fine beer production and part of the agriculturally rich Walloon Region, Daas offer the consumer three very different craft beers. These supreme beverages are organically and ethically made and deliver a unique taste experience to a dense market.

Daas say “Our beers are top Fermented Bottle Conditioned beers’ meaning they undergo a second fermentation in the bottle, similar to Champagne production. Dass continue; “This contributes to the overall quality and flavour of the beer, but also ensures that the liquid remains stable for longer than a pasteurised beer.”

Due to the refined ingredients and brewing process, Daas is being served at the dinner table instead of the usual bottle of wine. Each of the three beers rewards the palette with something special and pair very well with most dishes.

The range consists of:-

Daas Organic Ambre (6.5% ABV)

Daas Ambre is traditional rich and complex Belgian Ambre ale. The deep fragrant aromas with smooth caramel and sweetly mellow malt flavours finish with dry and delicately spiced hops. Great when hooked up with a traditional roast dinner of lamb, chicken or beef.

Daas Organic Blond (6.5% ABV) Daas Blond is an authentic strong Belgium beer, its honey and spice aroma and perfect balance of bittersweet flavours are followed by a classic dry hope finish. Blond is an ideal aperitif and a worthy pairing to spicy foods such as Indian, Vietnamese and Thai.

Daas Organic Witte (5.0% ABV)

Daas Witte is a naturally cloudy Belgian wheat beer. The fruity aroma and refreshing blend of subtle citrus and spice flavors compliment its crisply dry and bitter hop finish. Goes down well with seasonal seafood and sushi.

The three Daas Craft Beers, Witte, Blond and Ambre RRP £2.49

Daas is the only Belgian craft beer to carry the UK Soil Association Organic certification and the Belgian Certisys Organic certification. They grow their own barley in our farms and use locally sourced hops that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilisers which they believe makes Daas beers ultimately more appetising.

The beers are suitable for vegetarian and vegan drinkers and both Blond and Ambre will soon be gluten free. Daas will continue to develop its links with organic and ethical traders with the aim of eventually becoming a carbon neutral beer; it is delivery by road to the UK that allows Daas to wear the Zero Air Miles badge with pride.

Daas guarantee “Each brew is hand crafted by a solo master brewer with two dedicated assistants and we fully intend to keep it that way.” Craft beer is about creating a flavourful, high-quality beer, which in most cases is very different from the mass-produced beer. Like all artisanal craft breweries their approach towards creativity, exploration and sustainability remains second to non.

Since their recent launch Daas has won numerous awards, supporting that both trade and consumer not only appreciate the taste but also the brands ethical standards and the attention paid when making the beers. Their marketing slogan of “The Pure Indulgence” backs up their use of the finest ingredients and the brand’s conscientious ideals.

Daas finish by saying “For many people it is not a question of drowning a few cold beers as possible, it is more a question of finding the right taste, the right beer for the right occasion.”

Daas is available throughout the UK from specialist, luxury and organic retailers. The beers are also on the shelf at selected stores of Waitrose, Able & Cole and can be purchased online at www.daasbeer.com & www.ocado.com

For enquiries outside the UK visit www.daasbeer.com