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What to eat in Europe? Top 100 European Raw Milk Cheeses

Last update: Fri Mar 14 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best European Raw Milk Cheese Types

01

Cheese

PROVINCE OF PARMA, Italy and  4 more regions
4.7
Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano infographic
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Considered to be among the world's top quality cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano is made with raw, semi-skimmed milk from cows grazing on fresh grass and hay. It has a hard, gritty texture and its flavors range from nutty to robust and slightly piquant, depending on how long the cheese had matured.


The origins of Parmigiano Reggiano date back to the Middle Ages, when the Benedictine and Cistercian monks reclaimed the Po Valley wetlands and started producing this much-prized cheese. Since it originated and was mainly produced in the two city-states Parma and Reggio Emilia, the cheese was named Parmigiano Reggiano, meaning "a cheese from Parma and Reggio Emilia." The cheese got its name in the 19th century, and the word order is speculated to be purely due to alphabetical order. 
THE BEST Parmigiano Reggiano Cheeses
1 Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
Caseificio di Gavasseto e Roncadella
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2022

2 Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
Caseificio Sociale Canevaccia
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2021

3 Parmigiano Reggiano PDO
Nuova Castelli
Parmigiano Reggiano PDO

5.0

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Global Cheese Awards - Best 2024

4
Latteria Sociale Moderna
Parmigiano Reggiano Stagionato 30-39 Mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024

5 Parmigiano Reggiano Dotti 36 mesi
Casearia Dotti
Parmigiano Reggiano Dotti 36 mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024

02

Cheese

PROVINCE OF POTENZA, Italy
4.7
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Produced in the region of Basilicata, Canestrato di Moliterno is made from whole goat's and sheep's milk. It is matured in the so-called fondaci, a type of dry, cold, but well-ventilated semi-underground warehouse typical for the Moliterno area.


Depending on the length of maturation, this hard Italian cheese can be either quite sweet or piquant in flavor, and it can be found marketed in three different varieties: Primitivo, ripened for up to 6 months; Stagionato, ripened for up to 12 months, and Stravecchio, ripened for over a year.

03

Cheese

RHÔNE-ALPES, France
4.6
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Saint-Félicien is a soft French cheese originating from the region of Rhône-Alpes. The cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a creamy texture, while its flavor can be described as fruity, sour, nutty, and buttery. During the aging process, it develops a bloomy rind with a strong mushroomy aroma which does not really match the flavors of the cheese.


Due to its fragile nature, this cheese often comes packaged in small terracotta pots. It is recommended to pair it with crusty baguettes, olives, or a glass of red wine.

04

Cheese

SERRA DA ESTRELA, Portugal
4.6
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Serra da Estrela is a semi-soft cheese made from the milk of Bordaleira Serra da Estrela and Churra Mondegueira breeds of sheep. Milking is done by hand, after which the milk is heated, salted, and curdled using thistle extract.


The curd is formed into cheeses, which are left to ripen in humid and cold conditions. The cheese has a creamy, semi-soft interior that is yellowish-white in color, while its flavor is clean, sweet, and slightly sour. This cheese is Portugal's oldest, most traditional food product with international acclaim. 
05

Cheese

SARDINIA, Italy
4.6
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Produced exclusively on the island of Sardinia, Pecorino Sardo is a semi-cooked, hard cheese made with whole milk from the pasture-grazing Sarda sheep. This breed is indigenous to Sardinia, raised throughout Italy and considered to be among the best domestic breeds for milk production.


Highly adaptable to different terrains, Sarda sheep feed on fragrant Mediterranean shrubs, which gives Pecorino its distinctive aromatic flavor. It is available in two varieties: Pecorino Sardo Dolce (mild), a sweet and more delicate version, and Pecorino Sardo Maturo (mature), a much stronger flavored cheese that's matured for at least 2 months and pleasantly piquant. 
06
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Chavignol is a small cheese made from raw goat's milk that must weigh at least 60 grams. Its color is white or ivory and it has a dense, moist texture with a thin, moldy rind on the outside. The flavor of Chavignol is full, slightly nutty and 'goaty'.


It can mature for up to three months, and when the rind drastically changes its color and becomes very hard, and the body becomes drier and crumbly, the origin of its name - crottin, meaning horse dung in French, is explained. Chavignol is great when grilled and served hot on a salad or eaten with bread and bacon. 
07

Cheese

PALMELA, Portugal
4.6
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Azeitão is a semi-soft cheese made from unpasteurized sheep milk. The origins of this cheese date back to the 19th century, when Gaspar Henriques de Paiva emigrated to the town of Azeitão. Out of nostalgia for his place of birth, he imported black dairy sheep from his home town to Azeitão and brought cheesemakers from Beira Baixa to make cheeses.


De Paiva's Azeitão cheeses quickly became famous throughout Portugal, winning several awards at agricultural fairs. The milk for this cheese is taken from sheep that graze on natural vegetation in the pastures of Azeitão. The sheep are milked manually, and the milk is mixed with the extract of a local variety of thistle to start the curdling process instead of animal rennet, meaning the cheese is 100% vegetarian. 
08

Cheese

MESSINIA, Greece
4.6
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This semi-hard cheese is traditionally produced from sheep or goat milk, or a mixture of the two. The milk used to make this cheese comes from breeds reared traditionally in the Messinia and Lakonia prefectures, where this cheese has been produced for more than 100 years.


To make Sfela, the curd has to be divided into pieces and reheated. Afterwards, the pieces are drained using cheesecloth, and they are lightly pressed and cut into small strips ('sfelas') and salted. The strips are stored in tin cans full of brine for at least three months to mature. 
09

Cheese

NAXOS ISLAND, Greece
4.6
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Arseniko Naxou is a Greek cheese originating from the island of Naxos, hence the name. The word arseniko means male or masculine. The cheese is made from raw sheep’s and goat’s milk with the addition of whey.


After it thickens, the cheese is drained in specially designed baskets known as tirovola. In the beginning, its flavor is sweet, but after a few months it develops a spicy and aromatic flavor.

10
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Ovčí salašnícky údený syr is a uniquely shaped, soft cheese, handmade from unpasteurized sheep's milk in a traditional way in mountainous areas and shepherd's huts in the Slovak Republic. The word salašnícky refers to the word salaš - a shepherd's hut where it is produced.


The cheese is smoked over hardwood and comes in various shapes - most often as a lump, but it may come shaped like a heart, cockerel or other animals. On the exterior it is firm and dry with a crust and little stains that appear from the smoking process. 
11
Cheese
LOMBARDY, Italy
4.5
12
Cheese
HAUTE-SAVOIE, France
4.5
13
Cheese
FRANCHE-COMTÉ, France
4.5
14
Cheese
SARDINIA, Italy  and  one more region
4.5
15
Cheese
CAMPANIA, Italy
4.5
16
Cheese
BEAUFORT, France
4.5
17
18
Cheese
COUTANCES, France
4.5
19
Cheese
PODHALE, Poland
4.5
20
Cheese
DOUBS, France
4.5
21
22
Cheese
GRUYÈRES, Switzerland
4.4
23
Cheese
THESSALY, Greece
4.4
24
Cheese
PROVINCE OF BERGAMO, Italy
4.4
25
Cheese
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, Spain
4.4
26
Cheese
LESSER POLAND VOIVODESHIP, Poland
4.4
27
Cheese
SAICOURT, Switzerland
4.4
28
Cheese
METSOVO, Greece
4.4
29
Cheese
ARDÈCHE, France
4.4
30
31
Cheese
METROPOLITAN CITY OF NAPLES, Italy
4.4
32
Cheese
CANTON OF VAUD, Switzerland
4.4
33
Cheese
SERPA, Portugal
4.4
34
Cheese
CANGAS DE ONÍS, Spain
4.4
35
Cheese
BRAGANÇA DISTRICT, Portugal
4.4
36
37
Cheese
SALERS, France
4.4
38
39
40
Cheese
APULIA, Italy
4.3
41
Cheese
CRETE, Greece
4.3
42
43
44
45
Cheese
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, Spain
4.3
46
47
48
Cheese
APULIA, Italy
4.3
49
Cheese
HAUTE-SAVOIE, France
4.3
50
Cheese
BAGOLINO, Italy
4.3
51
Cheese
MORBIER, France
4.3
52
53
Cheese
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, Spain
4.3
54
Cheese
BURGUNDY, France
4.3
55
56
57
58
59
60
Cheese
BASQUE COUNTRY, Spain
4.3
61
Cheese
PLJEVLJA MUNICIPALITY, Montenegro
4.3
62
Cheese
VALENÇAY, France
4.3
63
64
65
Cheese
AOSTA VALLEY, Italy
4.2
66
Cheese
CABRALES, Spain
4.2
67
68
Cheese
COULOMMIERS, France
4.2
69
Cheese
APPENZELL, Switzerland
4.2
70
Cheese
FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, Italy
4.2
71
Cheese
PYRÉNÉES-ATLANTIQUES, France
4.2
72
Cheese
SELLES-SUR-CHER, France
4.2
73
Cheese
PROVINCE OF ZAMORA, Spain
4.2
74
75
Cheese
PROVINCE OF RAGUSA, Italy
4.2
76
Cheese
SWITZERLAND
4.2
77
78
Cheese
SARDINIA, Italy
4.2
79
Cheese
PROVINCE OF A CORUÑA, Spain
4.2
80
81
Cheese
POSADA DE VALDEÓN, Spain
4.2
82
Cheese
PELOPONNESE, Greece
4.2
83
Cheese
SJENICA, Serbia
4.2
84
Cheese
ÉVORA DISTRICT, Portugal
4.2
85
Cheese
PICO ISLAND, Portugal
4.2
86
87
Cheese
NĂSAL, Romania
4.2
88
Cheese
PUY-DE-DÔME, France
4.2
89
90
Cheese
SAINT-MARCELLIN, France
4.2
91
Cheese
SÃO JORGE ISLAND, Portugal
4.2
92
Cheese
ABONDANCE, France
4.2
93
Cheese
ZLATIBOR DISTRICT, Serbia
4.2
94
Cheese
SAINTE-MAURE-DE-TOURAINE, France
4.2
95
Cheese
ROQUEFORT-SUR-SOULZON, France
4.1
96
Cheese
ASIAGO, Italy
4.1
97
98
Cheese
ARAGON, Spain
4.1
99
100
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best European Raw Milk Cheese Producers

01

Cheese

ISIGNY-SUR-MER, France
4.8
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Isigny Sainte-Mère is a cooperative dairy located in Normandy, France, specializing in producing Camembert cheese, butter, and cream with milk sourced from the local area. The cooperative was established in 1932 and takes advantage of the rich grasses of Normandy, which impart a particular quality and flavor to its dairy products.


Isigny Sainte-Mère also holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for some of its products, such as Isigny butter and Isigny cream, ensuring they meet strict geographical and quality criteria.
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2021

BEST Isigny Sainte-Mère Cheeses
02

Cheese

DÜDINGEN, Switzerland
4.7
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Walo von Mühlenen specializes in the production and maturation of Swiss cheeses, working with affineurs to age cheeses in optimal conditions. The company highlights traditional methods and regional cheese varieties, maintaining close relationships with small-scale dairies to ensure high-quality products.


They are known for promoting lesser-known Swiss cheeses alongside internationally recognized varieties.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2019

BEST Walo Von Mühlenen Cheeses
03

Cheese

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, Germany
4.7
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Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz is a cheese producer located in Germany, specializing in organic cheeses made from raw milk. The company is situated in Oster-Ohrstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, and operates with a focus on sustainability and natural cheese production methods.


They offer a variety of cheeses, including both cow's milk and goat's milk options, manufactured under strict organic standards.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

BEST Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz Cheeses
04

Cheese

REGGIO EMILIA1, Italy
4.7
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Nuova Castelli, based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, specializes in the production and distribution of Italian cheeses, including PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Gorgonzola. The company was established in 1892 and has expanded its operations internationally, exporting Italian cheeses to various markets around the world.


Nuova Castelli supports traditional cheese-making techniques while also implementing modern technologies to ensure quality and sustainability.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

BEST Nuova Castelli Cheeses
05

Cheese

GROTTAGLIE, Italy
4.7
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Caseificio InMasseria is an Italian cheese producer located in the Apulia region. The company specializes in crafting traditional cheeses using local ingredients and artisanal methods. One of their notable products is burrata, a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream.
AWARDS

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee

2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

Italian Cheese Awards - ICA

2022, 2019, 2017, 2015

BEST Caseificio Inmasseria Cheeses
06

Cheese

BUXTON, England
4.7
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Bradburys Cheese, based in England, sources globally to provide a diverse selection of cheeses that range from traditional British varieties to international types. The company, established in 1884, operates from Buxton, Derbyshire. Bradburys Cheese offers cheese under its own brand as well as providing private label cheeses for other businesses.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2019

BEST Bradburys Cheese Cheeses
07
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Caseificio Pennar is located in Italy, specializing in producing Asiago cheese, a traditional Italian cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese company is known for following traditional methods that have been passed down through generations, focusing on quality and authenticity.


They offer a range of cheeses aged for different periods.
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

BEST Caseificio Pennar Cheeses
08

Cheese

WINCANTON, England
4.7
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Keen's Cheddar is a traditional cheese maker based in Wincanton, Somerset, England. The company, established in 1899, specializes in producing unpasteurized Cheddar cheese made from the milk of their own herd of cows. Keen's Cheddar is known for its strong flavor and firm texture, achieved through age-old cheese-making methods that include the use of raw milk and cloth binding.


Each wheel of cheese is matured for up to 18 months to develop its distinctive taste.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2024, 2023, 2021

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018

BEST Keen's Cheddar Cheeses
09

Cheese

BERGAMO, Italy
4.7
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2019

BEST Zanetti Cheeses
10
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El Buen Pastor de Oropesa, located in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, is renowned for its artisanal sheep cheese. The cheese is traditionally made from raw milk and aged in the cool environment of a cellar in a former convent from the 16th century. This dairy maintains a small herd of livestock to ensure both the quality of their cheese and the sustainability of their practices.


El Buen Pastor has been recognized for its exceptional products with multiple awards at the World Cheese Awards, including Gold and Super Gold in 2021-22, and Silver in 2017-18. Moreover, the dairy was a finalist in the 2022 Championship of the Best Cheeses of Spain.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

11
12
Cheese
FRIBOURG, Switzerland
4.6
13
Cheese
WALSTON, Scotland
4.6
14
15
Cheese
LANGNAU IM EMMENTAL, Switzerland
4.6
16
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best European Raw Milk Cheeses

01
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Blackmount is a raw milk ashed lactic goats milk pyramid made with milk from our small herd of dairy goats, it is made with vegetarian rennet and is yeast ripened so it softens from the outside in if left to mature long enough. Blackmount is the hill behind our farm which forms the start of the Pentland Hills which go right up to Edinburgh.


It develops citrus and fresh flavours from the middle and the rind becomes slightly spicy as it ripens.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

02
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Don Carlo is an Italian cheese made from the raw milk of Bruna Alpina cows. This cheese is semi-hard, and it matures for several months, resulting in a rich, complex flavor profile. It has a smooth, creamy texture with a slightly nutty taste, complemented by hints of butter and grass.


The aging process also imparts a mild spiciness to the cheese, making it a versatile option for pairing with a variety of foods, especially cured meats, fruits, and wines. Don Carlo is known for its natural rind and is often enjoyed as a table cheese or grated over dishes.
AWARDS

Italian Cheese Awards - ICA

2019, 2017, 2015

03
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Großer Deichkäse 12 Monate is a cheese produced by Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz. This cheese is crafted from raw milk and is aged for 12 months to develop its distinctive flavor profile. The aging process allows it to achieve a firm texture and a rich, complex taste that includes notes of nuttiness and a hint of sweetness.


It is often enjoyed as part of a cheese platter or used in gourmet recipes.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

04
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Parmigiano Reggiano PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) made by Castelli is a high-quality Italian cheese renowned for its rich flavor and granular texture. Crafted using traditional methods, it is made from raw cow's milk and aged for a minimum of 12 months to develop its characteristic taste.


This cheese is often used grated over pasta, risotto, and soups, or enjoyed on its own with wine and fruits.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2024

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023

05
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Gran Pennar di Montagna is a cheese produced by Caseificio Pennar, a dairy located in the Asiago plateau region of Italy. The cheese is known for its hard texture and rich, savory flavor. It is likely aged for several months to develop its complex taste profile, which includes nutty and slightly sweet undertones.


This cheese is typically used in culinary applications where a robust flavor is desired, such as grating over pastas, soups, or salads.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

06
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Keen's Raw Milk Truckle Cheddar is a traditional artisan Cheddar cheese made by Keen's Cheddar, a renowned cheese producer in Somerset, England. This cheese stands out for being made from raw, unpasteurized milk sourced from the family's own herd of cows, which graze on the lush pastures surrounding the farm.


The cheese is crafted using time-honored methods, including hand-cheddaring and aging in cloth-bound truckles, which helps develop its distinct texture and complex flavors. Keen's Raw Milk Truckle Cheddar is noted for its deep, rich taste with earthy undertones and a slightly tangy finish, making it a favorite among cheese connoisseurs.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2023

07
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

08
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AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2024

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

09

ROQUEFORT-SUR-SOULZON, France
5.0
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Roquefort Revelation is a refined blue cheese made from raw sheep's milk, originating from the renowned Roquefort-sur-Soulzon region of France. It offers a complex flavor profile with creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet notes, complemented by distinct umami from its blue veins.


The cheese has a creamy yet crumbly texture and is aged in natural caves, allowing it to develop its unique characteristics. Ideal for pairing with fruits like figs and pears, as well as robust red and dessert wines, Roquefort Revelation is a luxurious choice for cheese boards and gourmet dishes. 
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

10

Cheese

FRIBOURG, Switzerland
4.9
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Le Gruyère AOP is made from raw cow’s milk and adheres to strict quality standards as indicated by its AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) certification. The cheese is aged for a minimum period to develop its characteristic smooth texture and complex taste profile.


This product is often used in a variety of culinary applications, from fondue to quiches, or enjoyed on its own as part of a cheese platter.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022, 2021

11
12
13
14
15
Cheese
LANGNAU IM EMMENTAL, Switzerland
4.9
16
17
18
19
20
Cheese
LANGNAU IM EMMENTAL, Switzerland
4.9
21
22
23

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 European Raw Milk Cheeses” list until March 14, 2025, 22,504 ratings were recorded, of which 15,344 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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European Raw Milk Cheeses