Kaasschaaf - the ultimate cheese slicer
Growing up in a Dutch family likely means the kitchen included a kaasschaaf. All my life I was believing it was a Dutch invention. But, just to be sure, I did a bit of research.
The tool was actually invented by a Norwegian in Lillehammer. Thor Bjørklund patented it in 1925 and it is most prevalent in Nordic and Dutch homes. It truly is the best cheese slicer ever!
During my most recent trip to the Netherlands, we visited a cheese market in the town of Houten. A happy Dutch trio waved us over to talk cheese. While they talked, my eyes scanned the display of several types of Dutch cheeses and stopped when they saw a selection of cheese slicers. I waved one of the guys over and asked:
“hoeveel kost een van deze?” (How much for one of these?)
He answered and went on to tell me about how it works, how to hold it, how to clean it, and how to store it. He showed me various types for harder cheeses and softer ones, a shredder version and a cheese curler. Such a proud businessman and Dutchie!
When my family came to Canada in 1957, my mom packed a kaasschaaf. It was a treasure she used almost every day of her life. After her life on earth ended, I think it became a staple in my sister’s home where it is used quite regularly, and it functions equally as well as it always did. Unbreakable and maybe not as sharp, but it works incredibly well for being nearly 90 years old.
I have owned knock-off versions with terminal lifespans, but always wanted an authentic. There I was in Houten, feeling educated and standing tall and proud in a cheese market, buying myself a brand new kaasschaaf , an authentic kaasschaaf — I will covet it and smile from the heart each and every time I use it, as I carry on a legacy that began in Norway and continues to be, for me, a symbol of Dutchness! 🇳🇱
No comments:
Post a Comment