DUTCH FOOD 101: THE INS AND OUTS OF A DUTCHIE FAVORITE'S SNACKS

If you ever travel the world, one motivator is bound to be trying new cuisines. This was a strong reason I wanted to travel to many different countries. When thinking about food culture all across the map, you wouldn't think of the Netherlands at the top of the list, but there are a few unknown Dutchie staples that honestly shocked me. 

The Netherlands in comparison to other European countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece is very different, mainly because to others food culture is important to their lifestyle. In these countries, food is happiness, it brings people together. Meals are considered an event that brings the family together to converse and create memories. And while that could be the case for the Dutch, it is more along the lines of meals based on long traditions and influences from others. It's a "way to pass on gifts from previous generations to future generations".

Dutch cuisine likes to focus on ingredients that are good for one's health by getting them from natural places and staying very earth-friendly. Our program had an overnight trip to the town of Groningen, Holland our first week in Amsterdam, where we got to try many of these Dutch staples. Bitterballen was one of those staples, a deep-fried breaded meatball, packed with roux and beef usually served with a mustard sauce. I will say I was a bit nervous to try it, seeing as I had never heard of it before, but I am glad I did. Served in bars and goes well with a beer, it was a great way to end our night! 

While there are many other food items I got to try, I have an enormous sweet tooth so I was there for the pastries. Stroopwafels and Dutch pancakes were the first two I ventured out for. Stroopwafel is a classic Dutch dessert, two crunchy waffles sandwiched with a layer of cinnamon caramel in the middle. Simple yet so delicious! The history of these yummy treats comes from early 19th-century bakers using leftovers from the bakery to create a sweet meal.

Meanwhile, The Dutch pancake completely caught me off guard. Dating all the way back to the 12th century, these Dutch pancakes come from China and Nepal using buckwheat as the main ingredient. These can vary from sweet, to spicy, to savory meals. This is why the pancake is used in the Netherlands so often.

During our first week in Amsterdam, Loyola invited us to a group program dinner at PANCAKES Amsterdam right in front of the Centraal station. Not only is it budget-friendly, but there are so many varieties to choose from that anyone can find something they would like to put on them/in them. 

                            

Finally, the Dutch take their cheese very seriously, and it is a good thing I love cheese. the town of Zaanse Schans, home of a collection of historic windmills and wooden houses in the north of Amsterdam. Also the home to a great collection of chocolate and cheeses. Cheese making has been a traditional Dutch trade, so I knew I had to try some while I was there. My hometown friends came to visit me during Thanksgiving break, and we took a 45-minute train ride up to experience it for ourselves. We walked into a room surrounded by cheese galore. My favorite had to be the Gouda, which is also argued as the most popular cheese in Amsterdam. I enjoyed it so much, I brought home a case for my family!

                          

I am so grateful that I got to experience the food culture of Amsterdam, and many other countries like Italy, Ireland, France, and more! I hope to continue my journeys in the future and explore to food culture of Asia next in my life! Thanks for reading and I will see you in my next blog!

Bibliography

1. https://aroundtheworldwithme.com/dutch-food-culture/

2. https://www.lifeportwelcomecenter.nl/articles/food-culture-in-the-netherlands/