Hasta La Ideas

by Laura Neilson

I came across Marinde van Leeuwen’s playfully decorated wheels of baby gouda during a recent trip to Amsterdam, and now I’m kicking myself for not sneaking some back to The States with me. Produced by DesignKAAS, even the most turophobic person would appreciate one of these artful creations.

The 5.5-inch wheels, described on company’s site as “good Dutch farmers cheese in a nice jacket,” come in five designs, all inspired by elements of traditional Dutch culture: tulips, Delft blue, a conventional floral pottery pattern known as “Boerenbont” and even the iconic lowlands landscape (replete with windmills). The outer wax shells can also be custom designed.

Van Leeuwen founded Design KAAS last autumn to not only recognize the growing notion that outside appearance counts as much as the inside, but to also showcase her pride for her country and its traditions. In addition to using local cheese from a farm in her native village of Bergambacht, Van Leeuwen also donates 10% of the company’s proceeds to charities committed to preserving the Dutch landscape and local craft businesses.

Sadly, unless you’re traveling to The Netherlands anytime soon, these cheeses won’t be at a grocery store near you. Still, they offer a whimsical reminder that even classics can be improved upon.