Saturday is market day in Haarlem. A perfect opportunity to try out some of the local food options. We love free samples. Of course one of the first offerings was Stroopwafels. They are a perfect combination of gooey, crunchy, and sweet.
The Dutch eat about 4 kg more cheese per person per year than the average Canadian. We were keeping up with the Dutch gobbling up free cheese samples. We felt so guilty that we just had to buy some of the very expensive truffle cheese. We googled it when we got back and discovered it was Spanish cheese. No worries. It was still amazing. Now we have an excuse to try more Dutch cheese tomorrow. You would think we were too full for lunch. But no, we checked out the soused herring at Vishandel Jak. Ray loved it. I preferred the kibbeling—battered cod chunks. The day wasn’t all eating. We visited a church and a couple of art galleries. I’ll show you my favourite painting in the next post, but share the music from the church now. St. Bavo Church has an organ that reaches 30 metres high and covers the whole west wall. It is considered one of the most beautiful and historic organs in the world. Mozart played it when he visited Holland in 1766. Now, it wasn’t Mozart, but someone incredibly talented was playing it when we entered the church. Magical! What a day. I’m definitely going to bed with a full belly. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
17 Comments
Npe D
4/16/2024 11:30:48 am
What cheeses originated in the Netherlands?
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:06:01 pm
Gouda cheese is the most famous, and most produced, Dutch Cheese, followed by Edam
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NPW Group C
4/16/2024 11:32:26 am
Is there free samples of food every Saturday in Haarlem? Also where is it most common to see all the cheese?
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:07:27 pm
Yes, the market is Wednesday and Saturday in Haarlem
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NPW E
4/16/2024 11:33:26 am
How big is the church?
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:09:57 pm
It’s definitely not the biggest church I’ve ever seen, but it is most famous for the organ.
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NPW D
4/16/2024 11:34:14 am
What was your guys favourite cheese?
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:10:56 pm
Truffle at Haarlem and lavender goat cheese at Zaanse Schans
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NPWA
4/16/2024 11:34:22 am
How many types of cheese do they have/sell?
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:12:25 pm
Well I’ve tried at least 25 different kinds since I’ve been here…so I think the varieties must be endless
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Tyler
4/16/2024 11:35:16 am
This all sounds fun.
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:18:17 pm
1. If you click to listen to the organ you will see a picture of it.
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Tyler
4/17/2024 07:57:06 am
Thanks. Sorry... missed the click here.
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NPW B
4/16/2024 11:40:47 am
How loud was the organ?
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:19:15 pm
LOUD! It was just someone playing…not a full service.
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BrBE
4/16/2024 11:43:18 am
What did you think of the herring? We never would have thought of putting onions and pickles on fish.
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Diane
4/16/2024 12:20:07 pm
Ray loved it. I didn’t care for the texture.
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AuthorRay & Diane Homewood |