Melksalon

From 1 to 30 april this year something new is taking place in Amsterdam. The pop up Melksalon (Milk Shop) opens its doors! This temporary pilot and design store brings consumers, dairy farmers, dairy processors, designers and scientists together to rediscover the value of milk. There will be lectures, organized design sessions, movie nights and city walks. Chefs will also provide a series of special dinners. At the same time the Melksalon is a store and milk bar where you can walk in and taste different kinds of milk.

History and background
On 1 april, the European milk quota, which restricts the amount of milk that dairy farmers can produce was lifted. The Melksalon pop-up store also facilitates, at the perfect moment, a dialogue as to the relevance of milk in today’s modern society.

Around 1900 many milk parlours were found on the streets of Amsterdam, where the city’s inhabitants enjoyed a glass of milk from local farmers. Nowadays, we buy milk from the supermarket, but milk has always played an important role in Dutch history, (food) culture, the economy, innovation and the landscape. Yet, few realise the rich influence milk has had. Milk in the supermarket is often an anonymous bulk product. At the same time, there is a strong public debate going on about the consumption of milk, the influence on the environment and landscape, and the price one pays.

We enjoyed a tasting of 4 different milks, each with their own flavour, sweetness and richness. We also tried the steamed buns, made using a milk-based dough, the one filled with a braised Asian beef and the other with sweet peas.

A great new addition to Amsterdam. Go and visit while it still lasts.

For more information, please visit Melksalon.