This page contains the answers to the Old Amsterdam FAQ. Do you have a question that is not included in the FAQ? Please contact us or fill in the contact form.

What is the nutritional value of Old Amsterdam?
The nutritional value of Old Amsterdam 48+ cheese, per 100 gram:
* Energy: 1755 kJ (418 kcal)
* Protein: 29 g
* Carbohydrates: 0 g
* Fat: 35 g

I have a gluten allergy. Can I eat cheese?
Yes, you can, because cheese does not contain gluten.

I have a cow’s milk protein allergy. Can I eat cheese?
No, unfortunately not, because cheese contains cow’s milk protein. You could try soy cheese.

I have to follow a low-cholesterol diet. Can I still eat cheese?
With a low-cholesterol diet it is important to eat polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are found primarily in vegetable products. Cheese is an animal product and contains a limited quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids. If in doubt, ask your dietician or general practitioner for advice.

Which cheese can I eat if I am on a low-protein diet?
It is better to refrain from eating any cheese. However, if you like cheese very much, we recommend a Gouda 48+ cheese such as Old Amsterdam, as these cheeses contain less protein than 30+ cheeses.

I have diabetes. Can I still eat cheese?
It is important that diabetics do not eat too many carbohydrates (nutritive saccharides) at one sitting. Carbohydrate intake should therefore be spread as evenly as possible over the entire day. Old Amsterdam does not contain carbohydrates, but like all cheese it does contain fat. Everyone is different and each person has their own eating patterns. If in doubt, ask your dietician or general practitioner for advice.

Is cheese healthy?
Among other things, cheese contains protein and calcium, so it is certainly nutritious. One third of the fats are the healthy unsaturated kind, whereas two thirds of the fats are saturated and are therefore less healthy. The designations 48+, 30+ and so on do not mean that the cheese contains 48% or 30% of fat respectively. These are statutory product descriptions under the terms of the Food and Drugs Act. As a rule of thumb, for sliced cheese the fat percentage is approximately two thirds of the + figure (e.g. 48+ = 32% fat, 30+ = 20% fat). If you want to know exactly how much fat you are eating, you should read the nutritional information on the packaging. This states the exact fat content per 100 grams of cheese.

How many litres of milk does 1 kilo of cheese contain?
Approximately 10 litres of milk are used to make 1 kilo of cheese. The exact amount depends on the type of cheese.

Why do the slices of my pre-sliced cheese stick together?
Because cheese is a natural product, the season and the maturing process may sometimes cause the slices to stick together. We also pay attention to ensuring that our cheeses are smooth and creamy, as this gives a better flavour and prevents the drier varieties from becoming tough. This, too, may mean that the slices stick together.

There is mould on my cheese. Why is this, and is the cheese still edible?
The air is full of mould spores. If cheese is stored in an opened pack or a piece is freshly cut in the retail outlet, the product may go mouldy. The moulds themselves are generally harmless, although we would not recommend eating them. If the cheese has a small patch of mould, you can cut this out to a depth of about 1 cm and the cheese is then perfectly edible.

There is a white deposit on the cheese. What is this?
This is common with the more mature cheese varieties such as Old Amsterdam. The white deposit consists of crystals formed during maturation. It is perfectly edible.

How can I slice, cut or shred cheese more easily?
Slicing, cutting and shredding is easier with a warm cutting tool. Hold the slicer, knife or grater in hot running water before use and it will cut through the cheese effortlessly.