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Food, eating habits and cusine of Netherlands

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The Dutch cuisine is very much varied and boasts of a lot of fine dishes which make use of ingredients unique to the Netherlands. Their food staples include bread, cheese, and potatoes. Vegetable dishes served with meat cooked in different ways are also popular menus.

The Netherlands is very popular for its cheese. Cheese in the country, sold in their street markets, comes in semi-hard and hard forms. Each area has its own cheese, and the variety of cheeses include Gouda, Leyden, and Edam. It serves as a main ingredient in Dutch dishes or eaten as it is.

Bread in Netherlands is also popular for its being airy and topped with pumpkin or sunflower seeds. They have what they call the Luxury Bread, or White Bread, which is bread with milk or water. Kerststol is traditional Dutch bread made of sugar, dried fruits, currants, lemon zest and raisins. It is served sliced and spread with butter. Hot chocolate best completes an ideal Dutch breakfast.

Coffee and tea are very much a part of the Dutch’s everyday lives. They go to the cafes and have coffee or tea, usually with a slice of cake or a biscuit, before having lunch (10 o’clock in the morning) or after having dinner (7 o’clock in the evening).

Boerenkool met rookworst, or “farmer’s cabbage with smoked sausage” when taken literally, is one of the most popular Dutch dishes. It is a popular meal in winter made of cabbage, mashed potatoes, and rookworst (smoked sausage).