Queso de bola is popular amongst Filipinos all year round, especially during the holidays. The Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world, and some already start preparing their decor as soon as September rolls around. Why not check out the best Edam cheeses or queso de bolas, the cheese ball with red wax coating, as early as now?
It has come to be considered a good omen—the round shape symbolizes money, and the red color stands for good luck. In this article, we will help you choose the best queso de bola with our buying guide reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales and a list of recommended products.
Quick List - Top Queso de Bola
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Thanks to the thick, red paraffin wax coating, queso de bola has a long shelf life since it stays protected from molds and bacteria that can cause contamination. Generally, it only hardens when the wax coating is removed and the cheese is left out in the open. It won't spoil quickly, as long as it's stored properly and not exposed to direct sunlight or warmer temperature.
When purchasing a queso de bola, look for the manufacturing date on the label or the product description. The more recent the date is, the fresher and better your product will be. An excellent queso de bola can last up to 4 months in the fridge or 8 months in the freezer without losing the aroma, taste, and texture.
If you think that queso de bola is a one-note experience, you're in for a surprise. Some brands of queso de bola have a sweet and almost fruity hint. Others are on the nutty and fragrant side. With this in mind, we recommend checking out different reviews regarding the product as a basis to decide.
On rare occasions, you can find free tastings of cheese in supermarkets and malls. But if you prefer to order online, you can see the flavor profiles on the product descriptions of the company websites or article features in online publications. You can also watch online product review videos to have a better assessment.
Queso de bola is typically classified as a semi-hard cheese. But in reality, the texture can vary and change depending on the length of the aging process. The older the cheese is, the harder it gets. Keep reading for more information about queso de bola textures.
If you want a soft type of queso de bola, purchase one that is labeled as "soft" or "fresh." It is light-flavored and pretty easy to melt, perfect as a topping. It is also great on its own as a cocktail appetizer or bread filling. However, this type is more difficult to find and is usually available only in specialty stores.
Most, if not all, of the queso de bola, sold in stores during the holiday season, come with a semi-hard texture. They are not as quick-melting as the fresh queso de bola, but on the upside, they are not as challenging to handle as the hard ones. This texture is perfect for sandwiches, as they can add a bit of a unique texture.
Lastly, you can get your queso de bola in the form of hard cheese. This kind is almost crumbly when sliced. This provides another layer of texture and is great as a topping as it provides a concentrated punch of intense aroma. In addition, you can mix it into other sauce dishes like spaghetti or caldereta.
Unfortunately, a slice of hard Edam cheese is difficult to soften, even in high temperatures. So, it is best to cut it into bite-size pieces for your grazing platter along with other cold cuts and wine. Alternatively, you can grate them to melt them quickly as a pizza topping or mix it with mayonnaise for a flavorful spread.
All aged cheeses have their respective unique aromas. The smell can range from funky to almost fruity, depending on the length of the aging process. Remember that the shorter the aging period, the lighter the flavor.
Queso de bola usually has a sharper taste compared to regular cheeses. As a result, more people prefer aged cheese on grazing platters and cheeseboards, served with cold cuts and wines. However, some still opt to add them to their recipes in smaller quantities.
As mentioned earlier, queso de bola is typically available in the market during the Yuletide season. However, these ball-shaped cheeses become more difficult to find once the holidays are over. But don't worry! You can still get a taste of queso de bola because several companies offer Edam cheese blocks and slices that you can order even after the Christmas season.
Alternatively, some independent online shops offer queso de bola spreads that are available all year round! You can usually find them as creamed Edam cheese in a bottle jar, usually mixed with mayonnaise, finely chopped pimiento peppers, and seasoned with spices. Say goodbye to slicing because these are easy to spread on bread!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marca Piña Queso de Bola | ![]() | Get Into the Christmas Mood With This Dutch-Made Cheese | |
2 | Marca Pato Baby Matured Aged Edam Cheese | ![]() | A Creamy and Buttery Pasteurized Cheese Ball | |
3 | Danubia Edamer Cheese | ![]() | Celebrate the Holidays Everyday With This Cheese Block | |
4 | Nanay Luisa’s Queso de Bola Spread | ![]() | A Cheesy Spread With a Great Combination of Flavors | |
5 | Emborg Edam Cheese Slices | ![]() | Queso de Bola Slices for Easy Preparation | |
6 | Grand'Or Premium Edam Cheese Loaf Edam Cheese | ![]() | Classic Edam Cheese in Block Form | |
7 | Solenn Manila x Nanay Luisa’s Truffle Queso de Bola Spread | ![]() | A Luxurious Combination of Black Truffles and Edam Cheese | |
8 | Magnolia Queso de Bola | ![]() | A Creamy Holiday Staple from a Trusted Brand | |
9 | Ammerländ Edam Cheese Wedge | ![]() | A Wedge of Your Favorite Holiday Cheese | |
10 | Ava's Kitchen Queso de Bola Pimiento Lactation Spread | ![]() | A Preservative-Free Queso de Bola for Lactating Moms |
Experience a special Noche Buena with Marca Pina's queso de bola! Originally known in the country for its soy sauce, the brand has ventured into a partnership with Dutch dairy farms to produce these authentic Edam cheese balls that many Filipinos crave during the Yuletide season.
The flavor profile is on the nutty and savory-salty side with a hint of buttery sweetness, and the smell is mildly pungent. With regards to texture, it is a hard cheese that can get crumbly when sliced. Weighing more than one kilogram, this product offers great value for your money.
Another famous brand in the Philippines, Marca Pato is also known for its premium queso de bola that will make your Noche Buena spread extra special. Imported from Holland, it is notable for its thinner rind and consistent pale yellow color throughout the cheese. It also has a creamier texture compared to other hard cheeses.
Taste-wise, it has the trademark nuttiness and saltiness of the Edam cheeseballs but with a less intense mushroom-like aroma than other brands. What makes it unique, though, is that it also has a caramel-like, milky sweetness with strong buttery notes, perfect for pairing with biscuits, bread, and deli-style meats!
When the Christmas season is over, the typical queso de bola is a rare find. But don't worry, you can still get this delectable Edam cheese, only in a different shape. Danubia offers queso de bola in a block all year round. It has a semi-hard texture, but you will appreciate its creaminess in every bite.
It is nutty and slightly salty with a mild tangy aroma, ideal for appetizers, dishes, and even desserts. Grate or slice it and add to your canapes and charcuterie boards, and for sure, everyone will surely love it. With Danubia Edamer cheese, you can celebrate Christmas every day!
If you want to enjoy queso de bola without the extra effort of grating or slicing, Nanay Luisa's queso de bola spread is worth a try! It contains authentic nutty, rich, and aromatic grated queso de bola mixed with mayonnaise, pickle relish, and red pimiento peppers. The result is a beautiful play of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.
Its creamy taste works well with pandesal or any bread. You can also add chopped ham, bacon, or tuna for a more tummy-filling sandwich. Alternatively, you can incorporate them into your salads to take your homemade recipes to the next level.
You don't need to wait for December just to enjoy queso de bola! Emborg's Edam cheese is available year-round to add a savory touch to hot or cold sandwiches. Each pack contains 8 natural Edam slices made from aged and pasteurized cow's milk.
This semi-hard cheese has a mild nutty flavor with a subtle note of sweetness, just like regular queso de bola. And, since they are already sliced, you would need less time to prepare them, whether as palaman or for cheese boards. This is a great option for when you're craving for queso de bola any time of the year.
Want a queso de bola that is easier to slice and store? This offering from European cheese giant Grand'Or allows you to enjoy Edam cheese in a more convenient way. This one comes in plastic packaging instead of the usual red rind so there's no more difficulty in slicing through hard wax or paraffin.
Made of pasteurized cow's milk with a high-fat percentage, this does not compromise on both taste and quality. This comes in a huge 3-kilogram block, which can surely last you through the holidays and beyond. Use this on pizza, pasta, and even burgers for a different but nevertheless, delicious experience!
From a special collaboration between Solenn Manila x Nanay Luisa's Truffle Queso de Bola Spread, this queso de bola spread is one that you won't be able to resist! It combines Edam cheese with rich black truffle mushroom, giving you an earthy and luxurious flavor on top of the cheese's savory, salty, and mild nutty taste.
A combination of tangy mayonnaise, herbs, and spices binds all of these flavors together for an amazing spread that you can slather on toast, use with salads, or pair with prosciutto ham and other cold cuts. If you're looking for a unique twist on the traditional queso de bola, you can't go wrong with this!
We can't have a queso de bola list without Magnolia in it. This trusted brand offers a budget-friendly queso de bola that doesn't scrimp on quality. Coming in a traditional Dutch cheese ball form, it has a savory and creamy taste and a light aroma that suits the Filipino palate just right.
You'll find this queso de bola not just on many Filipino dinner tables every Christmas season, but in balikbayan boxes or care packages as well! Because it's such a homegrown taste, it is frequently bought as a pasalubong for Filipino friends and family abroad.
While this cheese may not be in the classic ball shape covered with red wax, its great taste and essence are the same. This cheese from Ammerland is a big wedge of Edam, perfect for easier slicing during busy days when you just need to add something to your bread.
This has a mild and pure taste, is low fat, and has no artificial colors and preservatives. The best part is this is more on the affordable side, letting you add great cheese to your holiday charcuterie board.
This queso de bola spread is a perfect blend of Edam cheese and pimiento. Specially formulated for breastfeeding moms, it is free of preservatives and enriched with galactagogues to boost breastmilk supply without compromising the flavors of aged Edam cheese.
It has pimiento tidbits to add a dash of color and a sweet taste to the cheese spread. And if you're not a nursing mom, no worries! It is safe to eat, even for kids! The creamy flavor makes it perfect for sandwiches with salami, ham, and other cold cuts or for drizzling on salads.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Queso de bola is made of Edam cheese, a semi-hard aged cheese from the Netherlands, wrapped in red wax or sometimes parrafin. However, the ones manufactured for the Philippines are the saltier kind.
There are many ways to eat queso de bola. It can be used as an alternative to parmesan cheese, incorporated into dips and cheese sauces, or simply paired with crackers.
It's best to store queso de bola by keeping the red wax on the cheese for added protection. Before placing it in the refrigerator, wrap it in foil and then plastic wrap. If you have grated cheese, put it in an airtight container before storing it in the freezer.
Complete your Noche Buena grocery shopping list with our article reviews below. We have a list of recommendations for exceptional Christmas hams, spaghetti noodles, and sauces that you can save in your pantry as early as now!
10 Best Christmas Hams in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist Dietitian
10 Best Spaghetti Sauces in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
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Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Editor & Re-editor: R. Umlas, B. Fajardo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Marca Piña |Queso de Bola
No. 2: Marca Pato |Baby Matured Aged Edam Cheese
No. 3: Danubia|Edamer Cheese
No. 4: Nanay Luisa’s |Queso de Bola Spread
No. 5: Emborg|Edam Cheese Slices
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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