TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Cheese Types in the World
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
![Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi](/images/products/30d9668c188240bb8578e1c564116fc8.png?w=234&h=140)
Caseificio di Gavasseto e Roncadella
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2022
![Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi](/images/products/443cb68d22304631be38182f0eed3b8b.png?w=234&h=140)
Caseificio Sociale Canevaccia
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2021
This cheese has been produced on the island of Naxos in the Cyclades for at least a century. Graviera Naxou is made from pasteurised cow milk or a mixture of sheep milk and a maximum of 20% goat milk. It has a thin rind and a light yellow, compact interior filled with small holes.
Graviera Naxou is a hard table cheese with a refreshing taste and light aroma. It has a maximum moisture content of 38% and at least 40% fat content. The milk used for its production comes from breeds that are traditionally raised on the island, which feed on a diet of local plants and herbs that give their milk a unique flavor.
THE BEST Graviera Naxou Cheeses
![Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pittara 12 month aged](/images/products/8043062abd3b4115a401c4f1fe29741b.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pittara 12 month aged
Superior Taste Awards - 3 stars 2025, 2024
![Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara](/images/products/74e6fafcfea74ca5a468adc615926f25.jpg?w=234&h=140)
![Graviera Pittara Mpastouni](/images/products/f8bef0332c59452699b069db0fd860ee.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Pittara Mpastouni
Mediterranean Taste Awards - Gold 2021, 2023, 2024, 2022
Burrata, literary meaning buttered, is an artisan cheese from the Puglia region of Southern Italy, especially the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. The cheese is made by hand with cow's milk, rennet, and cream. It is believed that the cheese was created by Lorenzo Bianchino Chieppa, a cheesemaker who had an idea to form a shell of stretched mozzarella strings and fill it with luscious, rich cream and smaller, leftover pieces of mozzarella.
The result was a true delicacy with the creamiest interior and a rich flavor of fresh milk, which very quickly became extremely popular. Burrata should be eaten as fresh as possible - ideally within 24 hours of being made. It can be served alone, seasoned only with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, but it is also delicious when accompanied by fresh tomatoes and prosciutto crudo, or when used as a topping for pizzas or bruschettas.
Pair with
VARIATIONS OF Burrata
THE BEST Burrata Cheeses
Though there are many buffalo mozzarella cheeses made with a combination of buffalo and cow's milk, to be labeled as such, the genuine mozzarella di bufala campana must be made from 100% domestic water buffalo milk and produced either in Campania or the neighboring Lazio, Apulia and Molise regions.
Buffalo milk is known to be higher in calcium and protein while lower in cholesterol, which makes this mozzarella cheese particularly prized and sought after. Buffalo mozzarella always comes packaged in brine; it has a mild yet slightly sour taste, and goes well with various Italian antipasti dishes, especially with classics like the Caprese salad.
Pair with
THE BEST Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Cheeses
![Mozzarella Di Bufala Campana PDO](images/products/bc84ca29-2740-4664-bc57-e6668fb630c4.jpg?w=234&h=140)
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.
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.
Pair with
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.
Pair with
This cheese has a long history, and it is the best-known Greek graviera cheese. It is produced using traditional methods and ripened in facilities in Hania, Rethymnos, Iraklion, and Lasithio prefectures on the island of Crete. It is traditionally produced from sheep milk or from a mixture of sheep milk and a maximum of 20% goat milk.
These goats and sheep wander freely on the green pastures of the island, and their diet is based on local plants, which give their milk a special quality that is expressed in this exceptional cheese. It is a hard table cheese with a light yellow color and firm texture.
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.
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Cheese Producers in the World
Adiano, located in El Robledo, Ciudad Real, Spain, is a notable cheese factory specializing in artisanal Manchego cheese. It distinguishes itself with a commitment to environmental sustainability and animal welfare, being the first and only in Spain to receive an Animal Welfare Certification by AENOR.
The cheese is made from the milk of purebred Manchego sheep, which are raised on the farm’s natural pastures. This ensures high-quality, flavorful cheese celebrated for its exclusivity and sophistication.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
Fromagerie Germain is a renowned French cheesemaker located in the Grand Est region, specializing in the production of traditional soft cheeses such as Chaource, Époisses, and Soumaintrain. With a commitment to preserving artisanal methods, the company balances heritage with modern production techniques.
Their facilities at ZAE Champ Miolin in Vaux-sous-Aubigny support both local and international distribution, making Fromagerie Germain a key player in the fine cheese market, celebrated for its high-quality and authentic flavors.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Fromagerie Germain Cheeses
Kaasboerderij 't Groendal is a cheese producer located in Belgium, specifically in the region of West Flanders. The dairy farm focuses on producing artisanal cheeses using milk from their own herd of cows. Their product range includes several types of Gouda, including unique varieties infused with herbs and other flavors.
The farm is operated by the family Desmet.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
BEST Groendal Cheeses
Uplands Cheese located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is renowned for its artisanal cheese production, particularly the Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Rush Creek Reserve. The company operates on a dairy farm that has been milking cows for over a century. The farm is uniquely situated on Pleasant Ridge in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, which is ideal for the diverse range of grasses that contribute to the high-quality milk produced by their cows.
The farm is managed with a focus on sustainable, seasonal, and pasture-based systems. This approach includes rotational grazing, which ensures fresh pasture for the cows daily, contributing to the exceptional flavors of their milk. The company's commitment to traditional cheesemaking methods, combined with innovative approaches to enhance the unique flavors of their farm, has established Uplands Cheese as a leading example of artisanal cheesemaking in the U.S..
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/535afd00a2fc42b7ada2968aad3ede1f.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2019, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2001
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8eb4e0f792a34e3ba5562107ad81789a.png?w=160)
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2016
BEST Uplands Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST De' Magi Formaggi Cheeses
Quesos & Besos is a charming artisanal cheese company known for its commitment to quality and tradition. Based in Spain, this company specializes in handcrafted cheeses that celebrate the rich flavors and diverse textures of Spanish cheese-making heritage.
Their product range includes a variety of cheeses made from both cow's and goat's milk, often featuring unique flavor profiles that highlight local ingredients and traditional techniques. Each cheese is crafted with care, ensuring high quality and exceptional taste.
Little Cheese Farm is a family-owned artisanal cheese producer located in Belgium. They focus on creating high-quality, handcrafted cheeses using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. Their range of products includes a variety of cheeses made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, all crafted with a passion for sustainability and authenticity.
Known for their dedication to preserving the unique flavors of the region, Little Cheese Farm emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, delivering exceptional cheeses that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Belgium.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/685193743a86424ba705bab09e33a2be.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
BEST Little Cheese Farm Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
BEST Pomerode Alimentos Cheeses
BelGioioso Cheese, based in Wisconsin, USA, is renowned for its production of Italian-style cheeses since 1979. The company operates out of multiple facilities and crafts over 27 different varieties of cheese. BelGioioso is known for its commitment to quality, using fresh, local milk and traditional cheesemaking methods.
This commitment is evident in their practice of processing milk into cheese on the same day it is collected from local farms to ensure freshness and flavor. BelGioioso has been recognized widely in the cheese industry, receiving numerous awards from prestigious competitions like the World Cheese Championship and the American Cheese Society.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/685193743a86424ba705bab09e33a2be.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1eba33302a6f4899ba9d91ad82f9cf03.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2000
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Belgioioso Cheese Cheeses
Käserei Champignon Hofmeister is a German cheese producer located in Bavaria. The company was established in 1908, and it specializes in producing soft cheeses, including the famous Cambozola, a blue-veined cheese that blends characteristics of Gorgonzola and Camembert.
Käserei Champignon Hofmeister uses traditional handcrafting techniques alongside modern technology to ensure the quality of their products. Their cheeses are made using milk from local farms, ensuring high freshness and quality standards.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
![2 stars](/images/productawards/407ba31c2a1a4150908862ae40775916.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/fa4f7c170f5841798774dc80a0c07a09.png?w=160)
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2022, 2020, 2018, 2016
BEST Käserei Champignon Hofmeister Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Cheeses in the World
Hudson Flower is an artisanal cheese, typically produced in the Hudson Valley region of New York. This cheese is characterized by its creamy texture and rich flavor, with subtly sweet notes that develop during the aging process. It is often used in various culinary applications but can also be served as part of a cheese platter alongside fruits and nuts.
Its excellent melting properties make it a great choice for pizzas and other dishes that require melted cheese.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/52083fcffbab4ddbb1afbe14711e104b.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2019, 2017
Whole Blue Stilton from Cropwell Bishop Creamery is an exemplary British cheese with a rich, tangy flavor and a melt-in-the-mouth, velvety texture. This cheese is handcrafted using traditional methods dating back to the 17th century and is matured for about 12 weeks to develop its distinctive character.
Cropwell Bishop uses vegetarian rennet and fresh, local milk to produce this award-winning Stilton, which is recognized under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for authentic Stilton cheese. It is ideal for large gatherings as it typically comes in a whole form weighing about 7.5 kg, wrapped in wax paper to preserve its quality and flavor.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2018
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Blue Stilton cheese from Clawson Dairy is a distinguished product with a rich history and a distinctive profile. Made exclusively in Leicestershire, this cheese benefits from a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring that only cheese produced in certain counties can be called Blue Stilton.
It's crafted using local cow's milk and is known for its crumbly yet creamy texture and bold, tangy flavor that develops over an eight-week maturation period. Blue Stilton is characterized by its blue veins which radiate from the center, contributing to its unique taste.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/706d8efcb0874848b67db7eb90850514.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
![2 stars](/images/productawards/407ba31c2a1a4150908862ae40775916.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2019
Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is an acclaimed Alpine-style cheese crafted exclusively from the summer milk of grass-fed cows. Its unique taste profile includes a rich and salty flavor with a fruity finish, which develops through a natural, washed rind process.
This cheese is particularly notable for being the most awarded in American history, having won the American Cheese Society’s Best of Show three times and the U.S. Cheese Championships in 2003.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/535afd00a2fc42b7ada2968aad3ede1f.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2001
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
Marco Polo Reserve from Beecher's Handmade Cheese is a unique cheese that incorporates both green and black cracked peppercorns, adding a distinct peppery zest to its profile. This cheese is traditionally cloth-bound and aged in open air, which intensifies its flavor by reducing moisture and enhancing its salty and rich notes.
The texture is slightly crumbly due to the aging process, and it has a robust flavor that combines nutty, earthy tones with a tangy finish. Marco Polo Reserve has been recognized in several cheese competitions, winning awards at both the American Cheese Society and the World Cheese Awards, affirming its high quality and distinctive taste.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/685193743a86424ba705bab09e33a2be.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/535afd00a2fc42b7ada2968aad3ede1f.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/35b2a9760f1f48908244516a645d83ca.png?w=160)
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2020, 2010
![2 stars](/images/productawards/576cc537c0a34a5788c57b75cbe4b275.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009
Deer Creek The Stag is a distinctive bandage-wrapped Cheddar cheese from the Artisan Cheese Exchange in Wisconsin, aged for a minimum of 17 months. This cheese is known for its bold, nutty flavor enhanced by strong notes of toffee and butterscotch, which develop a crystalline crunch as it ages, adding an intriguing texture?.
The Stag has received numerous accolades, including multiple first-place awards at the American Cheese Society and has been featured as one of the “101 Best Cheeses of the Year” by Culture Magazine.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/576cc537c0a34a5788c57b75cbe4b275.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013
L'Affiné Au Chablis is a cheese produced by Fromagerie Germain. This artisanal cheese is typically made from cow's milk and is known for being washed with Chablis wine during its aging process, which imparts a distinct and sophisticated flavor. The rind has a characteristic reddish hue, while the interior remains creamy and rich.
It is often celebrated for its balanced taste profile that combines the creaminess of the cheese with the slightly acidic and fruity notes of the Chablis wine. L'Affiné au Chablis can be enjoyed on its own or paired with various accompaniments like crusty bread, fruits, or charcuterie.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
Bonne Bouche is an acclaimed aged goat cheese produced by Vermont Creamery in Websterville, Vermont, USA. This cheese is known for its distinctive ash-ripened rind that develops a creamy and robust flavor as it ages. Initially aged for 10 days, Bonne Bouche can continue to mature for up to 90 days, becoming softer and more piquant over time.
It's made from pasteurized goat's milk sourced from small family farms, both local and Canadian, and is celebrated for its wrinkly, geotrichum-rind, giving it a unique texture and appearance.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/576cc537c0a34a5788c57b75cbe4b275.png?w=160)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2018, 2013, 2010, 2001
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
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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 Cheeses in the World” list until February 14, 2025, 49,134 ratings were recorded, of which 31,627 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.