Leiden (or Leyden) cheese, sold as Leidse kaas or Komijne kaas in the Netherlands, is wheel shaped with a greyish-yellow rind. The sides may bulge or be straight, and the cheeses all bear a mark of the two crossed keys which are the symbol of the City of Leiden. The weight of a whole cheese varies from around 5 kg (11 lb) to 8 kg (18 lb) or more. Leiden cheese resembles gouda, but is made on a much smaller scale, has a lower fat content, and a sharper taste; often incorporates some buttermilk; and is always spiced. Some handbooks on cheese say that cumin is used; others mention caraway. The truth is that both are normally added. There is also a version with cloves, made in Friesland and called nagelkaas.
