Twente Bunker cheese

The Secret of the Ammunition Bunker: A Unique Maturation Process

The Twente Bunker Cheese is a premium regional product with a unique story. While many regular cheeses age in modern, climate-controlled warehouses, this cheese develops its characteristic flavor deep underground. The maturation takes place in former ammunition bunkers in the wooded region of Twente. Because the bunkers are hidden beneath a thick, insulating layer of earth and trees, there is a perfect, constant, and natural climate inside. The humidity and the temperature (around 15 degrees Celsius) remain extremely stable all year round, without the need for any artificial climate control.

In this oasis of peace and darkness, the cheese is given seven months to develop optimally. The result? A particularly tasty and robust cheese that loses much less moisture than cheese in a regular warehouse. This keeps the Twente Bunker Cheese, despite its firm maturation, surprisingly smooth (creamy) in texture.

Awarded with Gold: A Characterful Taste Sensation

Lovers of a flavorful aged cheese with a kick are in for a treat. The Twente Bunker Cheese falls into the aged to extra-aged category and is characterized by a full, piquant flavor with a pleasant, slightly sweet undertone. During the months-long maturation process in the bunkers, fine white protein crystals form within the cheese. These natural ripening crystals provide a delicious 'bite' and a slight crunch in the mouth, which makes the ultimate tasting experience complete.

That this flavor profile is absolutely unique did not go unnoticed internationally either. The cheese proudly won Gold at the prestigious World Cheese Awards 2025-26. A wonderful recognition for this pure, Dutch craft. This bunker cheese from Twente is excellent cut into small cubes for drinks, paired with a robust red wine, a vintage port, or a strong specialty beer. But of course, thinly sliced, this cheese is also irresistibly delicious on a freshly cut slice of rustic farmer's bread.

Ingredients:

Fat 52+, pasteurized cow's milk, vegetarian (microbial) rennet, salt, starter culture.

Quality, Freshness, and Shipping

Guaranteed the very best quality:
At GoudaCheeseShop.com, freshness always comes first. As soon as we receive your order, the Twente Bunker Cheese is freshly cut for you from the large, artisanal cheese wheel by our passionate cheese specialists.

Safely shipped and cooled to your address:
Immediately after cutting, your piece of cheese is tightly and airtightly vacuum-packed. We then ship the cheese cooled. This way, the cheese does not dry out, and you are 100% assured that the delicious, award-winning aromas and the characteristic smooth texture are perfectly preserved, all the way to your own kitchen.

Cheese from the Twente Ammunition Storage

In the picturesque Twente village of Daarle lies an extensive complex that was formerly used by the Ministry of Defense for ammunition storage. The complex consists of a total of 25 large and small ammunition magazines and bunkers. Beneath the thick concrete walls, which on the outside are now richly overgrown with large trees and plants, eight specific bunkers are hidden that turned out to be the perfect space for maturing exclusive cheese. The humidity there is perfectly constant and there is excellent insulation, keeping the temperature always at an ideal 15 degrees.

A Passionate Family with a Rich Cheese History

In the year 2011, cheesemaker Jan Peter Nijenhuis, during his intensive search for a good, natural ripening location for cheese, stumbled upon this impressive bunker. Nijenhuis' family has a long, proud history in the Dutch cheese world. His grandfather already had a thriving cheese shop in Twente around 1940, and his father ran a successful wholesale cheese business. Hence, from an early age, he developed an enormous feeling and passion for the authentic Twente cheese tradition.

A 100% Vegetarian and Sustainable Cheese

In addition, Nijenhuis has paid great attention to a sustainable production process. The Twente Bunker Cheese is aged in a very energy-efficient manner; thanks to the constant, natural temperature in the bunker, almost no electricity is needed for climate control. Furthermore, the cheese is produced as naturally as possible, entirely according to old, artisanal traditions. For example, it contains absolutely no artificial colorings. What makes this cheese extra special: it is curdled with microbial rennet, making this top-quality cheese completely vegetarian.

Specially Developed, Secret Recipe

Besides the fact that the Twente Bunker Cheese has aged undisturbed for about 7 months in peace in a serene environment, the specially developed recipe also provides the inimitable, unique flavor. But the absolute main ingredient is, of course, the milk. The cheese is made from high-quality, unskimmed North Holland meadow milk, and you can immediately taste that full creaminess in every bite.

A Striking, Robust Appearance

The Twente Bunker Cheese is not only a culinary masterpiece; its rugged and artisanal appearance also immediately makes an impression. Unlike regular cheeses, this cheese has no paper label and banderol. Instead, the recognizable logo is boldly and traditionally pressed into the top and side of the rind. This makes it not only a real, tasty eye-catcher in your kitchen or on the cheese board, but also an incredibly original and tasteful gift with which you can happily surprise a true cheese lover!