Just can't beat this price for a quality cheese. Read the full story:
Edam is a semi-hard cheese that originated in the Netherlands, and is named after the town of Edam in the province of North Holland. Edam is traditionally sold in spheres with a pale yellow interior and a coat of red paraffin wax. Edam ages and travels well, and does not spoil; it only hardens. These qualities (among others) made it the world's most popular cheese between the 14th and 18th centuries, both at sea and in remote colonies. A major producer of Edam is the FrieslandCampina company in Marum, Netherlands.
Most "young" Edam cheese sold in stores has a very mild flavor, is slightly salty or nutty, and has almost no smell when compared to other cheeses. As the cheese ages, its flavor sharpens, and it becomes firmer. It has a significantly lower fat content than many other traditional cheeses; as little as 28 percent of the cheese is made up of fat. Modern Edam is softer than other cheeses, such as Cheddar, due to its low fat content. However, it is not quite as suitable for toasting as are certain other cheeses, such as Cheddar.
Mild Edam goes well with fruit such as peaches, melons, apricots, and cherries. Aged Edam is often eaten with traditional "cheese fruits" like pears and apples. Like most cheeses, it is commonly eaten on crackers and bread, and may be eaten with crackers following the main course of a meal as a dessert of "cheese and biscuits". Pinot gris, dry Riesling, semidry Riesling, Champagne, Chardonnay and Shiraz/Syrah are some recommended wines to accompany this cheese.
Edam cheese is popular in North America, the Nordic countries, and many other countries around the world. In Spain and many Latin American countries, the cheese was long considered a delicacy. In the Mexican state of Yucatan, it is prepared as queso relleno (stuffed cheese). A ball of cheese is cut in half and carved out; it is then stuffed with a mixture seasoned ground meat, raisins, capers and olives. Finally, it is braised in chicken stock, and served sliced with the chicken stock that has been thickened with cornstarch and spiced tomato sauce.
It is the most common cheese used in Czech Republic and also very often used as base of a popular snack where it may be served with a slice of ham and always with tartar sauce or mayonnaise. In the Philippines, Edam is commonly shaped into spheres, encased in red paraffin wax. It is this shape that gives Edam its name, queso de bola.
Edam is especially popular during the Christmas season, when it is customary for Filipinos to serve and dine with family and friends during the nochebuena feast, or the Christmas Eve meal. It is commonly served with jamón and pan de sal. It is also associated with Christmas in Sweden due to its red color, and is often found on the Christmas "Julbord" buffet.
Edam was tested by the Mythbusters in episode 129 for its putative suitability as cannon ammunition against a ship's sail, but it bounced off the sail without damaging it.
Nutritional Facts Per 100 grams:
Calories 357
Total fat 28g
Saturated fat 18g
Polyunsaturated fat 0.7g
Monounsaturated fat 8g
Cholesterol 89mg
Sodium 965mg
Potassium 188mg
Total Carbohydrate 1.4g
Dietary fibre 0g
Sugar 1.4g
Protein 25g
Wow… Just wow! That was quite a read…
But thanks - will get some!