Passendale

Passendale (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɑsəndaˑlə]) or Passchendaele (obsolete spelling, retained in English) is a rural Belgian village in the Zonnebeke municipality of West Flanders province. It is close to the town of Ypres, situated on the hill ridge separating the historical wetlands of the Yser and Leie valleys. It is also commonly known as a battlefield and the name of a campaign during World War I, the Battle of Passchendaele.

History

Early history

In the pre-Roman and Roman times the area of the town was located along the border between the Menapii and Morini Belgic tribes of northern Gaul and later the border between the bishoprics of Tournai and Thérouanne. The town is first recorded in 844 as Pascandale, and may be named after an individual by the name of Paulus, Pascan or Pasko. In the Middle Ages, most of the region was ruled by the Augustine abbey of Zonnebeke and the Benedictine convent of Nonnebossen. Both the abbey and the convent were destroyed during an iconoclasm (Beeldenstorm) of 1580.

Passendale cheese

Passendale cheese, named for Passendale, the village where it originated, is one of the best-known cheeses in Belgium. The regular Passendale cheese exists in two variations called Passendale Classic and Passendale Prelude. And next to the regular Passendale, there is a quality version called Passendale Bel Age.

Passendale Cheese resembles a loaf of bread. It has a round shape and a hard, but edible brown rind with spots of white. Inside, the flesh is golden, dotted with small holes and very creamy. It has a firm and damp consistency, slightly sweet bouquet and mild flavor.

History

The Donck family from Passendale started producing cheeses back in 1932. Many milk producers from the area cooperated and after WWII they started producing milk, butter and yoghurt as well. Soon they relocated to a former brewery. In 1978, they launched a cheese inspired by local tradition, "de Groot Hof–Grand’Ferme". For export reasons the cheese was renamed Passendale in 1980. In 1991 the Comelco group, owner of the company making Passendale, was taken over by the Dutch Campina company. The Bongrain group took over the company in 2007 and came in second place on the Belgian market for cheese products.