If you found yourself combining salads, soups, meats and all types of dishes with cheese you will most certainly have become a cheese fanatic like most Dutch people (they eat fifteen kilos of cheese a year per capita).
It must have something to do with the fact that Dutch dairy products are one of the strongest points of the agricultural industry and also one of the things the foreigners enjoy eating here most.
But do you know what you buy in the market as jong, belegen, oud...? The denominations depend on the ripening phases. Here we provide you with the essential clues to make your choice and be another 'cheese head':
1. Jong (Young) 4 weeks
2. Jong Belegen (Semi-Matured) 8 weeks
3. Belegen (Mature) 4 months
4. Extra Belegen (Extra Mature) 7 months
5. Oud (Aged) 10 months or more