Leerdammer Original cheese

Leerdammer is an iconic Dutch semi-hard cheese known for its mild, nutty flavor and characteristic large holes. It was originally developed in 1974 by Cees Boterkooper and Bastiaan Baars in Schoonrewoerd, near the town of Leerdam in the Netherlands. The creators combined the creaminess of Gouda with the hole-forming characteristics of Swiss Emmental to create a entirely new category of cheese now known generically as Maasdam.

Historically, the brand was owned by the Dutch company Baars (and later the Frico cooperative) before being acquired by the French Bel Group in 2002. In a major industry shift, the ultimate ownership transferred to Groupe Lactalis in 2021 as part of a significant asset exchange.

Today, Leerdammer remains primarily produced at its historical roots in the Netherlands, specifically in Schoonrewoerd and Dalfsen, while some production also occurs in France. The brand is now a flagship within the Lactalis portfolio, marketed globally as both a premium specialty item and a versatile everyday snack.