Reypenaer is undoubtedly one of the finest cheeses in the Netherlands. Thanks to its exquisite taste, it has won numerous awards and is much in demand by Michelin star chefs. Quite simply, Reypenaer is a cheese to be passionate about. And here’s why!

The story begins with the finest of raw materials. Only milk from cows grazing on Holland’s green summer pastures is used to produce cheese destined to become Reypenaer. This ensures that the flavour of the milk is enhanced by the cow’s natural diet of fresh grass, wild flowers and herbs.

Next, the manner in which each wheel of Reypenaer cheese is matured is quite extraordinary! In the centre of the Dutch town of Woerden, along the banks of the Old Rhine river lies a warehouse that is over 100 years old. This warehouse was originally custom-built as a cheese ripening house. It is to this warehouse that each precious wheel of Reypenaer cheese is brought to mature for between one and three years. You won’t find a modern air conditioning system here! Rather, the cheeses are aired naturally, by the opening and closing of a series of wooden vents.

This method of natural rather than artificial ventilation means that as temperature and humidity levels in the warehouse fluctuate, the cheese is allowed to age naturally, resting on wooden shelves. As the temperature cools in winter, the aging process slows. Conversely, as it becomes warmer in summer, the maturing process speeds up. For the cheese, this leads to natural rather than controlled weight loss.

And then, there is the turning of the wheels of cheese - a key part of the maturing process for any cheese. Except at the Reypenaer warehouse, each round of Reypenaer is turned by hand and the wax is cleaned once a week, every week without fail until a cheese reaches maturity.

The result is the unique taste, texture and aroma that characterises Reypenaer cheese. In no other warehouse in the Netherlands is a cheese produced in so natural a manner. The intimate personal attention each cheese receives, combined with the ancient natural aromas of the 100 year old cheese warehouse and the expertise and passion of the Reypenaer team make Reypenaer probably the best cheese in the Netherlands.

Through the Reypenaer Tasting Rooms in Central Amsterdam, you now have the opportunity to drop by and taste these hand matured cheeses. All you have to do is walk in and sample. Tasting is entirely without obligation.
For a small fee, you can join a cheese tasting course (held every hour on the hour) – and spend a fascinating 45 minutes.
More info on the Reypenaer Tasting Rooms…
The Reypenaer tasting room is also one of the few places in the centre of Amsterdam where it is possible to buy Reypenaer cheese.

Three types of Reypenaer are currently available:
Reypenaer Cheese – between one year and 18 months old. This cheese is soft, creamy and lingers on the palate. Awarded best cheese in Europe – 2005 and 2007. Buy online...
Reypenaer VSOP Cheese  – at least  two years old. This is the showpiece of the Reypenaer cheese collection. It sheds circa 25% of its weight over its two year natural maturing process.
Buy online...
Reypenaer XO reserve – at least two and a half years old. This is the ultimate Reypenaer taste experience. A limited edition cheese, made from only the very finest Reypenaers and undergoing an extra long maturing process.
Buy online...