Leerdammer Caractère cheese

Leerdammer is a Dutch semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It was originally developed in 1974 by the company Baars as a competitor to Emmental, aiming for a cheese with a milder, nuttier taste and large eyes. The brand takes its name from the city of Leerdam in the Netherlands, where it is still primarily produced.

The brand has undergone significant ownership changes over the decades. It was a flagship brand of the French Bel Group for many years. However, in 2021, the brand was acquired by the French dairy giant Lactalis (Groupe Lactalis) as part of an asset swap. Today, Lactalis remains the ultimate owner, managing the brand through its global distribution network while maintaining production in its historic Dutch facilities.