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Cheese market in Alkmaar Description : Alkmaar. Waagplein with weigh house and with canal boats in the foreground – By Willem van de Poll –

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Alkmaar Cheese Market

The Netherlands is famous for its world-renowned cheese and cheese markets. Dutch cheese farmers as in tradition, take their cheese to their town’s market square and sell it.

Currently, there is a total of five cheese markets operating in the Netherlands. That is the Hoor, the Edam, the Gouda, and the Woerden cheese markets.

The Alkmaar cheese market is one of the oldest and largest cheese markets in the country. It is located at the Waagplein and is open from April to September every year.

Waagplein translates directly to ‘weighing square’ and the market is hosted just outside the city’s weighing square. The following is a list of 10 interesting facts about the Alkmaar Cheese Market.

1. Cheese Trading in Alkmaar Started In 1365

Description Alkmaar The Cheese Market. Dating 1894 t/m 1900 Inventories – By Benjamin Wilhelmus Stomps –

Cheese trading in Alkmaar dates back to late in the 14th century. Records show that trading started in 1365. It was at this stage that the city set out to become Holland’s main cheese hub.

Back then Alkmaar only had a single weighing scale. By 1612, there were four weighing scales in the city (a town at the time).

Alkmaar quickly grew and became a cheese production and trading powerhouse. There is no concrete evidence of when the official cheese market started. However, the cheese bearer’s guild was started in 1593 and this implies that the market must have existed before then.

2. The Cheese Market Is Open Between April and September

From the first Friday in April to the final Friday in September, the sizable cheese market is open. This occurs every Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on the Waagplein (“weighing square”).

In 2022, the market will open every Friday from 10 am to 1 pm on the Waagplein, from March 25th through September 23rd. 2022 will also see evening cheese markets take place on Tuesdays in July and August from 19:00–21:00.

Activities at the market are explained in Dutch, German, English, Spanish, French, and occasionally Japanese, from the opening ceremonies until the last load.

3. There Are Rules and Protocols at The Market

Cheese market in Alkmaar – By Donarreiskoffer –

Due to large turnouts, the process might seem rushed and random to a newcomer. However, some rules and protocols are required to be followed by the sellers (cheese bearer’s guild) and even the buyer as well.

 For one, the cheese carriers, known as veem, belong to the Cheese Carriers’ Guild of Alkmaar. The Guild is made up of 30 men.

There are 28 vemen, divided into four groups which comprise of seven men each. Then there is the ‘cheese father’ who leads the vemen groups. He can be identified as the guy with the black stick with a silver knob.

The experienced carrier is called the vastman and is present at the market regularly. The vastman is a previous temporary assistant, called the noodhulp.

There is also the tasman, which translates directly to bagman. The tasman is responsible for putting on the weights as the cheese is weighed. He can be identified at the market by the black leather bag they wear.

There are also inspectors, weighing masters, and zetters at the market.

4. Trading Has Reduced Significantly

The world has developed immensely and gone are the days when people used to gather in markets. This has also affected the cheese markets similar to all others.

There is mass production of cheese in factories these days which delivers cheese to consumers efficiently. This, therefore, is a problem for the cheese markets since consumers do not need it.

As a result, the current cheese market is only 10% of what it was at the start of the 20th century. However, the Alkmaar Cheese Market has been able to weather the significant drop in sales by attracting and charging tourists at the market.

They may not sell as much cheese as before, but they sure do make a profit from tourists.

5. The Waagplein Has Expanded Over the Years

Cheese market in Alkmaar – By Raimond Spekking –

Cheese trading began in 1365 in Alkmaar and has existed ever since. In the city, Cheese trading was crucial to the economy and livelihood of the residents up to the first world war.

During the market’s boom period, up to and sometimes over 300 tons of cheese were sold on each market day. Sometimes selling hours had to be extended to ensure everyone got served.

As a consequence, Waagplein square, which hosts the cheese market has had to be enlarged. This is to keep up with the Market’s pace and demands.

6. The Alkmaar Cheese Market Is One of Only Five Cheese Markets in The Netherlands

 Currently, there is a total of five cheese markets operating in the Netherlands. That is the Hoor, the Edam, the Gouda, and the Woerden cheese markets.

Some markets in the country have closed down over the years. However, all five of the remaining five were once merchant cheese markets in the 17th Century (the Dutch Golden Age).

However, while they technically are still markets, they have been forced to pivot their business structure. The markets host dramatic re-enactments of sales traditions, techniques, and procedures from the Golden Age.

7. Chees Prices at The Market Are Negotiable

When the market opens, samplers in white lab coats examine the interiors of the cheese wheels using a special scoop. The sampler examines the cheese’s texture, flavor, and aroma.

Additionally, he examines the cheese visually to make sure the “eyes,” or holes, are distributed equally across the wheel. After examination, if the batch is up to code, it is therefore availed for sale.

Prices at the market are negotiated by the kilo. This is done through the ‘handjeklap’ action. This ritual involves the buyers clapping and shouting their prices during negotiations.

The last clap automatically secures the batch in question. The batch is then taken to the scales for weighing after it has been sold.

8. There Is a Cheese Museum at The Alkmaar Weigh House

Alkmaar Netherlands-at the cheese fair in April 2019 – By WM wm WM –

The Netherlands Cheese Museum is located on the second and third floors of the Alkmaar Cheese Weigh House. The purpose of the museum is to preserve the history of Holland and cheese. The museum also looks to educate on cheese making as a skill and culture.

From the museum, you get a view of Waagplein square which hosts the cheese market in Alkmaar. The museum focuses on the small spherical Edam and the big flat Gouda wheel.

9. There Is Limited and Expensive Accommodation When the Cheese Market Is Open

The Alkmaar Cheese Market attracts a lot of tourists when it is open. This combined with the fact that Alkmaar is a fairly small city makes the accommodation logistics an issue.

Prices spike on the limited accommodation making Alkmaar unfavorable for those traveling on a fixed budget. It is therefore advised to book early or seek accommodation outside the city.

10. Tradition Is Adhered to Strictly at The Alkmaar Cheese Market

Members of the Cheese Bearer’s Guild are expected to adhere to the organization’s traditions to the letter. This is in terms of the dress code as well as the conduct and behavior. Those who fail to do so face repercussions such as fines and elimination from the organization.