Eating Edam is almost as exciting as opening a birthday present. Unwrap its shiny red or yellow colored wax coating, and you'll find a creamy yellow, mild, slightly salty and nutty delight. Edam can be semi-soft, or when aged, semi-hard. Try mild Edam with peaches, melons, apricots or cherries. Pair aged Edam with sliced apples and pears.       SERVE WITH: Mild: Fruity wine, lager beer, lemonade, flavored iced tea, apple juice and raspberry sparkling water Aged: Fruity red wines, white wines and sparkling cranberry juice | Mild: Peaches, melons, apricots and cherries. Aged: Apples and pears.    Image © Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Appearance Red or yellow wax exterior; creamy yellow interior Taste Mild, slightly salty and nutty Melts Melts best when shredded Berry-Mint Fondue         Today's traditionally small size of Edam is a result of how the cheese was originally made. The Dutch farmers who crafted Edam only had a small herd of cows, and the yield per cow was low - so, by necessity, the cheese was made in small sizes.