This morning, we left the hotel in Amsterdam and made our way towards Rotterdam. Before arriving in Rotterdam, though, we made a stop at Zaanse Schans, a small neighborhood in Zaandam. We had the opportunity to explore this typical Dutch town and its magnificent windmills. There were many shops here, as well as farm animals such as sheep and goats.
The main event today, however, was a short presentation on how Henri Willig makes their cheeses. It was fascinating to learn about the cheese-making process and the various byproducts of production. This commitment to sustainability sets Henri Willig apart, as they minimize waste. When milk is separated to make cheese curds, the remaining liquid—whey—comprises a significant portion of the milk byproducts. Instead of discarding the whey, Henri Willig uses it in various ways. They feed it to farm animals due to its nutritional value and incorporate it into the production of soda and beer. This approach aligns with the Netherlands’ goal of addressing food insecurity.
Another sustainable practice by Henri Willig involves using a special form of rennet. Rennet, the enzyme responsible for cheese flavor and reaction, typically comes from cattle stomach lining and results in livestock deaths. However, Henri Willig has developed a vegetarian rennet that avoids animal harm. Additionally, their cheeses can be stored for extended periods. Some cheeses mature for up to a year, requiring stocked inventory for customers. Henri Willig’s preservation method allows hard-shell cheeses to remain unrefrigerated for four weeks and refrigerated for up to four months.
Afterward, we had free time to explore the small town, which offered a different experience from bustling Amsterdam. The windmills were particularly impressive. I even visited the clog museum and tried on some wooden clogs—they were comfortable but undeniably heavy.
Later, we took a bus ride to Rotterdam for the second leg of our trip. A quick nap on the bus made the journey pass swiftly. For dinner, I had McDonald’s in the Netherlands for the first time. I’m excited about Rotterdam and can’t believe we’re already halfway through our trip!