Edam is a Dutch cheese made with cow's milk. It has a spherical shape (there is also the "cassette" type on the market) which is covered by a layer of red paraffin, used to improve the cheese's conservation. The paste is soft, straw-colored, without holes and with a sweet taste reminiscent of hazelnut. If the cheese has been briefly seasoned, it will melt easily. On the other hand, if the aging has been prolonged (about a year), its pasta will be darker and firmer and it will melt with greater difficulty; in this case its flavour is a little more spicy. Edam is excellent as a table cheese, but it is also suitable for toast and gratin dishes.