The history of Prima Donna begins with a quest for the perfect cheese. We aimed to create a cheese that captured the best qualities of both Italy and the Netherlands. It had to blend the rich, creamy flavors of Italian cheeses with the firm, savory characteristics of Dutch cheeses. After numerous tests, tastings, and refinements, Prima Donna was born.
Prima Donna is truly incomparable to other cheeses. The unique recipe and carefully executed aging process create a cheese with an unparalleled character and flavor profile. This masterpiece brings together the passion and craftsmanship of two great cheese-making traditions in every bite.
Prima Donna was introduced under the concept of Holland Family Cheese, a family of different cheeses including Slanke Anke, Jonge Meiden, Ouwe Jongens, and Boer Piet. All these brands had one element in common: the diamond in the label. Prima Donna initially consisted of one variant, now known as fino.
Prima Donna underwent a stunning transformation. The once transparent, yellow wheel was restyled to a striking dark blue, making it instantly recognizable today as fino. This bold blue label not only catches the eye but also signifies the exceptional quality and distinctive character of our beloved cheese.
After the success of the fino, our master cheesemakers wondered, “what if we let this specialty age a bit longer on our wooden shelves?” Like a fine wine, Prima Donna only improved with time. Thus, in 2000, Prima Donna maturo was born, distinguished by its vibrant red label. This exquisite cheese offers an even richer and more complex flavor, a true testament to the art of cheesemaking. And now, many years later, Prima Donna maturo is our most famous cheese and available in many different packaging forms.
In 2003, Prima Donna leggero was born. Our cheesemakers succeeded in developing a lighter cheese with less fat while retaining its characteristically spicy taste. A great addition to our famiglia!
The triangle wedge, as we now know them pre-packaged, were created. Previously, we only sold whole, half, and quarter wheels. In 2008, Prima Donna also became available as a pre-packaged triangle wedge. While you can still purchase whole, half, and quarter wheels, this is still how we see our triangle wedges on the shelves today. Never change a winning team.
The introduction of our Prima Donna organic . At a time when organic farming and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, the Prima Donna famiglia decided to expand the assortment with an organic variant. Made from 100% organic pasture-raised milk, with cows grazing 180 days a year and 8 hours a day, longer than the Dutch average.
In 2022, we improved our recipe. Since then, we have been using vegetarian rennet. This change ensures that Prima Donna cheese is now suitable for vegetarians, so more people can enjoy our cheeses!