TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Cheese Types
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.
Pair with
THE BEST Parmigiano Reggiano Cheeses

Caseificio di Gavasseto e Roncadella
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2022

Caseificio Sociale Canevaccia
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2021
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.
Pair with
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.
THE BEST Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Cheeses

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
Mozzarella is a fresh, soft, stretched curd cheese, made with whole cow's milk. Due to the fact that it has a fragrant aroma of fresh milk and a delicate creamy flavor, mozzarella is traditionally paired with light white wines. This Italian classic originates from the region of Campania, but nowadays it is produced all across the country.
The cheese is made with water buffalo's milk or cow's milk, when it's often referred to as mozzarella fior di latte (in order to distinguish it from water buffalo milk mozzarella). The ancient tradition of making mozzarella cheese dates back to the 4th century BCE, however, the first official reference to its name was found in a 1570 cookery book by Bartolomeo Scappi, a famous Renaissance chef.
Pair with
VARIATIONS OF Mozzarella
THE BEST Mozzarella Cheeses

Rumiano Cheese Company
Organic Smoked Mozzarella
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place 2016, 2018

First produced in the 11th century by the Cistercian monks of the Santa Maria di Rovegnano Abbey in Chiaravalle Milanese, Grana Padano is known as one of the very few parmesan cheeses that can possibly compete with the far more famous Parmigiano-Reggiano.
This hard cheese is made from unpasteurized, semi-skimmed cow’s milk and it is available in these varieties: Grana Padano, Trentin Grana, and Grana Grattugiato. It is sold at different ripening stages: Grana Padano (9-16 months), Grana Padano Oltre 16 mesi (over 16 months) and Grana Padano Riserva (over 20 months).
VARIATIONS OF Grana Padano
THE BEST Grana Padano Cheeses

Latteria San Pietro
Grana Padano DOP Selezione da Fieno 50 mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024
This hard cooked cheese is made with whole milk from pasture-grazed sheep, and has a particularly salty and slightly piquant flavor. Aged for at least 5 months, Pecorino Romano makes an excellent table cheese, particularly when combined with fresh vegetables and fruit, but after eight months of aging, it is mainly used for grating over classic Roman dishes such as Bucatini all’Amatriciana, Rigatoni alla Carbonara, Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, and Tripe alla Romana.
The origins of Pecorino Romano can be traced back to the Roman Empire, when cheese processing methods were first described by some of ancient Rome's most important writers on agriculture: Varrone, Columella, Virgilio and Pliny the Elder. In 227 BCE, the production of this renowned cheese spread to the neighboring island of Sardinia, where even today almost 90% of Pecorino Romano is produced, while the remaining 10% comes from Lazio and the Tuscan province of Grosseto.
Bocconcini is an Italian cheese originating from Campania. It is a mozzarella-type cheese that is roughly the size of an egg, made with water buffalo's milk or a combination of buffalo's and cow's milk. These rindless small balls are semi-soft, creamy, elastic and springy in texture, while the flavors are mild, buttery, and slightly sweet.
The name bocconcini means little bites in Italian, referring to the shape and form of the cheese. It is recommended to consume it fresh or use it on pizzas or vegetable-based dishes. Pair it with white wines.
Back in the 15th century, when Pecorino production used to begin in spring, this Tuscan delicacy was called Cacio Marzolino, meaning March cheese. Nowadays, Pecorino Toscano is also produced in Lazio and Umbria, Tuscany's neighboring regions, and available year-round as either Fresco (fresh) or Stagionato (matured for at least 4 months).
This soft to semi-hard cheese is made with whole milk from sheep feasting on pastures nestled between the Apennines and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Compared to other varieties of Pecorino cheese, Toscano is only briefly salted and thus retains its delicate, sweet flavor.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Cheese Producers
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2022

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST De' Magi Formaggi Cheeses
Caseificio Barlotti, located in the Paestum area of Campania, Italy, specializes in producing buffalo mozzarella. This artisanal cheese producer uses milk from their own herd of Italian Mediterranean buffalo, ensuring control over the entire production process from feeding the buffalo to cheese making.
They also offer tours of their farm and facilities, giving visitors an insight into traditional cheese-making techniques.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee
2023
BEST Caseificio Barlotti Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Latteria Moro Di Moro Sergio Cheeses
Caseificio Artigiana, located in Putignano, Italy, is renowned for its traditional Apulian dairy products, crafted with a deep respect for artisanal methods. Established in 2001, the dairy has grown significantly, now operating in a large facility that reflects its expansion in both the domestic and international markets.
This growth is supported by their commitment to using only the best local milk, ensuring the quality and authenticity of their products such as mozzarella, burrata, and various aged cheeses. The dairy's excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, particularly for their burrata, which has gained international acclaim.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

Italian Cheese Awards - ICA
2023, 2019, 2018, 2017
BEST Caseificio Artigiana Cheeses
La Casearia Carpenedo is a cheese producer based in Italy, known for its innovative approach to affinage, the process of aging cheeses. The company collaborates with affineur Antonio Carpenedo, who brings traditional techniques and creative flair to cheese aging, including infusing cheeses with wine and other local products.
Among their notable creations is the Ubriaco cheese, which is aged with the remains of wine grapes after pressing.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023, 2021
BEST La Casearia Carpenedo Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Casale Roccolo Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
BEST Caseificio Sepertino Cheeses
The company "Perla" was founded in Nichelino around the mid-20th century. For generations, it specialized in producing, ripening, and refining traditional Italian dairy products, with a focus on maintaining a family-like atmosphere. Perla’s products are rooted in the fertile pastures of Piedmont, where ideal conditions for raising sheep, goats, and cows contribute to high-quality milk.
The company emphasizes that its success lies in its meticulous cheese production process, which follows the highest standards of excellence and a slow, 100% natural maturation process. This dedication to tradition and quality ensures the authenticity of their cheeses.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Perla Cheeses
Romagna Terre is an Italian cheese producer located in the Emilia-Romagna region. The company specializes in the production of traditional Italian cheeses, including Parmigiano Reggiano. It employs artisanal methods to ensure the high quality of its products.
Romagna Terre sources its milk from local farms, adhering to strict quality control standards.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Romagna Terre Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee
2020
BEST Arrigoni Battista Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Italian Cheeses
The Burrata from Caseificio Artigiana, located in Putignano, Apulia, Italy, has received significant accolades for its quality. It was named the best Burrata in the world at the Italian Cheese Awards in both 2018 and 2019. This prestigious cheese is crafted using traditional methods and is known for its fresh flavor and creamy interior, which includes hand-made mozzarella strips mixed with cream.
Caseificio Artigiana uses cow's milk collected daily from local farms, emphasizing the freshness and regional quality of their products. This award-winning Burrata showcases the artisanal skills and the heritage of Apulian cheesemaking passed down through generations.
AWARDS

Italian Cheese Awards - ICA
2023, 2019, 2018

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee
2022, 2020
Parmigiano Reggiano oltre 40 mesi made by Caseificio di Gavasseto e Roncadella is an aged variety of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese that has been matured for over 40 months. This extended aging process allows the cheese to develop a rich and complex flavor profile, characterized by nutty and savory notes, as well as a crumbly and granular texture.
The Caseificio di Gavasseto, based in the Reggio Emilia region of Italy, adheres to traditional methods of cheese production to ensure the highest quality and authenticity of their Parmigiano Reggiano. This cheese is often used in high-end culinary applications and is appreciated by cheese connoisseurs for its depth and intensity of flavor.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
Gorgonzola Dolce DOP made by De Magi is a type of blue cheese known for its creamy texture and sweet, mild flavor. This Italian cheese is protected by the Denomination of Protected Origin (DOP) status, ensuring it is produced within a specific geographic area and adheres to traditional methods.
The production involves a shorter aging process compared to its spicier counterpart, Gorgonzola Piccante, resulting in a softer, more spreadable cheese.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee
2023
Basajo is a unique type of cheese produced by La Casearia Carpenedo, an Italian cheese company. This cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk and is known for its distinct character. It undergoes a maturation process in Passito di Pantelleria, a sweet Sicilian wine, which imparts a unique, aromatic flavor profile to the cheese.
The rind has a notable golden hue, and the interior is creamy and semi-soft, offering a balanced taste with hints of fruit and honey, attributable to the wine infusion. (No data)
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
Tatie Vermouth cheese is a soft cheese, made from cow's milk and has a creamy texture with a slightly tangy flavor. The cheese is typically wrapped in a natural rind, which may develop a light bloom. Tatie cheese is often enjoyed on its own, spread on bread or crackers, or paired with fruits and nuts.
It’s a great addition to cheese boards and can also be used in various culinary dishes.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
A high-ranking cheese, born from the excellent ability of our master cheesemakers to blend three fine milks. The Ducato encloses in its name all the nobility of its sweet and decisive flavor and its white and creamy paste, made elegant by the light hazelnut-colored reflections on the surface.
Pleasant and satisfying when consumed fresh, intriguing to the taste after a few weeks of aging, it lends itself well to any table and satisfies even the most refined palates.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Mesi is a premium aged cheese produced by Nazionale Parmigiano Reggiano Latteria Centro Rubbianino. This cheese undergoes an aging process of 30 to 39 months, allowing it to develop a rich and complex flavor profile with nutty and savory undertones, accompanied by a slight crystalline texture.
The aging process also enhances its aromatic qualities, making it a versatile addition to a variety of dishes, from pasta to risottos and even as a standalone snack enjoyed with wine or balsamic vinegar. Each wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Mesi carries the distinctive PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status, ensuring its authenticity and adherence to traditional production methods specific to the Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna (west of the Reno River), and Mantua (east of the Po River) regions of Italy.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
Caciocavallo Silano DOP is a traditional Italian cheese produced by Caseificio Artigiana. This cheese is known for its distinctive teardrop shape and is made from cow's milk. It has a smooth, straw-yellow rind and a semi-hard interior that can range from white to pale yellow.
The flavor profile of Caciocavallo Silano is rich and complex, with hints of sweetness and tanginess. The cheese is typically aged for two to three months, although it may be aged longer for a more intense flavor.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee
2020
People who know burrata, can not miss stracciatella. Stracciatella is in fact the soft and creamy heart of burrata. It is a spun paste dairy product, a delicate mixture of fresh cream and hand frayed mozzarella cheese (mozzarella shreds). They are beautifully milky white in color, with no rind and a fibrous structure.
The taste is fresh and slightly acidulous, with a delicate smell.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022








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 Italian Cheeses” list until February 19, 2025, 11,798 ratings were recorded, of which 8,824 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.