Leerdammer Léger cheese

Leerdammer is a world-renowned semi-hard cheese brand known for its distinctive large holes and mild, nutty flavor profile. Founded in 1974 in the town of Schoonrewoerd by entrepreneurs Cees Boterkooper and Bastiaan Baars, the brand was created to compete with heavy hitters like Gouda and Edam by offering a cross between Swiss Emmental and Dutch cheese styles.

While the brand has deep Dutch roots and is primarily manufactured in the Netherlands, its ownership has transitioned through major international food conglomerates. After decades under the Bel Group, it was acquired by the French dairy giant Lactalis in 2021. Today, Leerdammer represents a key piece of Lactalis's global portfolio, maintaining its traditional production methods in the Netherlands while benefiting from a global distribution network.