Old Weydeland is an artisan Dutch Gouda from the Midden-Beemster region of the Netherlands. It is made by CONO cheesemakers, a farmers cooperative with 400 members, which was established over 120 years ago in 1901.
The dairy are committed to following ancient cheese making traditions handed down through generations, and so still cut and stir all the curds by hand, but are now also a certified climate neutral business and the number one most sustainable dairy in the country. The dairy host regular workshops teaching new generations how to make cheese the traditional way.
It is traditional and commonplace in the Netherlands for cheeses to be aged away from the dairies in which they are produced, due to space limitations. Beppie is aged by Treur Kaas, a business which was launched by Evert Treur, a farmer’s son, in 1955. The company began when Evert started selling cheese sourced from local farmers, from the back of his bicycle, to the local neighbourhood and cheese shops. By the end of that same year, he was successful enough that he needed a car and small warehouse, but could only initially buy one big enough to store 100 cheeses. Demand grew and Evert was able to buy larger and larger buildings, which he converted into warehouses, that could store 16,000kg of cheese initially, then 30,000kg, 120,000kg and finally 320,000kg of cheese. In 1981, the family built their own storage and maturing unit in Woerden, large enough to store 500,000kg of cheese. In 1995, Evert turned 65 and decided to retire, passing the business onto his sons. He was awarded a medal of honour for his contribution to the industry, having worked within it for 40 years.
In 1999, the dairy site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a unique region.
In 2020, the dairy’s production process became climate neutral. The member dairy farmers now all generate their own electricity and energy sustainably, and reuse all their milk water. The dairy farmers have become national leaders in animal welfare.
For the last 20 years, CONO have been in the top three highest payers for milk and also publish these figures so that farmers know in advance what price they will get for their milk, based on its protein and fat content, meaning the better the welfare and grazing, the better the pay.
The cows graze freely on vast meadows which have slightly salty soil and in turn, produce a naturally creamier milk.
Established in 1994, our commitment is to bring you exceptional and unforgettable, artisanal food from across the UK and Europe, from producers who are passionate, dedicated and share our key values regarding sustainability, fantastic animal welfare and high quality produce.
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