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| Protected Dutch regional products is a company with a local service area. | |
The Netherlands holds dozens of products with European protection, and the best known name is not among them.
What protection means
Three categories: protected designation of origin, protected geographical indication, and traditional speciality guaranteed. Each sets its own requirements on origin and method.
Gouda is not protected
The bare word Gouda may be used by anyone anywhere. Protected are Gouda Holland and Noord-Hollandse Gouda, with rules on where the milk comes from.
What is on the list
Edam Holland, Boeren-Leidse met sleutels, Kanterkaas, Opperdoezer Ronde potatoes, Westland grapes, Brabantse Wal asparagus, Hollandse maatjesharing.
Farmhouse cheese
A traditional speciality guaranteed: raw milk, on the farm, from the farmer’s own herd. That protects a method rather than a place.
Why it matters
Without protection the difference between product and imitation disappears, which is exactly what happened to Gouda.
Where to look
Cheese shops, farm shops, and the label with the European mark.