TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Canadian Cheese Types
Le Douanier is a Canadian semi-soft cheese produced in Quebec by master cheese maker Fritz Kaiser since 2000. It's made from pasteurized cow's milk. The cheese has a washed and brushed rind, and it matures for about 9 weeks. Its texture is smooth and supple, filled with small eyes, and there is a layer of vegetable ash running through the middle.
The aromas are earthy, milky, and rustic, while the flavors are creamy, mild, and reminiscent of green apples and nuts with aging. The line of ash in the middle symbolizes the Lacolle border crossing between Quebec and the US, and the name of the cheese means customs officer.
Oka is a pale yellow Canadian cheese made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It has an intense aroma and a semi-firm consistency, while the flavors are creamy, fruity, and nutty. The cheese melts exceptionally well and comes in two main versions: regular, which is aged for 30 days, and classic, aged for 60 days.
It is believed that Oka cheese was first produced by Trappist monks from the eponymous city near Montreal. Serve this Canadian classic with cashews, walnuts, pecans, apples, figs, or grapes.
Pair with
Belle Creme is a Canadian triple-cream Brie-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and cream. The cheese is produced in the Québec region and has a bloomy rind. Underneath it, there is a creamy, smooth, and buttery texture with mushroomy and nutty aromas.
The flavor of Belle Creme is rich and buttery with hints of salt. It is recommended to serve this cheese with apples and a glass of fruity beer on the side.
Pair with
Brise du Matin is a Canadian Brie-style cheese produced in the region of Québec. This cow's milk cheese has a bloomy white rind that hides its cream-colored body with a buttery, tender, and creamy texture. The aroma of Brise du Matin is fresh, while the flavors are nutty, buttery, and mushroomy.
The flavors become more pronounced with further aging of the cheese. It is recommended to pair it with a glass of blonde ale, which nicely complements the creaminess of Brise du Matin. Interestingly, there is also a low-fat version of this cheese, known as Légère Brise du Matin.
Allegretto is a Canadian cheese produced in La Sarre, Québec. The climate in the Abitibi region results in pastures which have a higher sugar content, and that is the reason for sweeter milk from the sheep. That milk is used to produce this firm cheese with a fresh and clean aroma.
The sheep's milk is thermalized, and the cheese is pressed and aged for at least 120 days. Underneath its natural rind, Allegretto hides a creamy texture and nutty, slightly tangy, fruity, mellow, and sweet flavors. It is recommended to grate this cheese over pasta or use it in grilled cheese sandwiches prepared with sourdough bread.
La Sauvagine is a soft Canadian triple-cream cheese hailing from Quebec. It's made from cow's milk and has a washed rind. The texture is creamy, supple, buttery, and runny, while the flavors are fresh and buttery, with hints of mushrooms.
La Sauvagine is named after migratory birds such as geese, ducks, and teals that cover the Quebec sky in the fall. It's recommended to pair this cheese with a glass of IPA beer, and serve it with cumin bread.
L'Étoile de St-Raymond is a Canadian brie-style triple cream cheese hailing from Quebec. The cheese is made from a combination of pasteurized cow's milk and cream. Underneath its bloomy, ash-coated rind, the texture is creamy, smooth, and buttery.
The aroma is mushroomy, while the flavors are buttery, milky, and grassy. This soft cheese has won numerous awards and it was a Bloomy Rind Cheese category finalist at the 2014 Sélection Caseus.
Le Reflet de Portneuf is a Canadian cheese hailing from Quebec. The cheese is made from a combination of pasteurized cow's milk and cream. Underneath its washed rind, the texture is soft, buttery, and creamy. The flavors are creamy, mushroomy, and buttery.
It's recommened to pair it with a bottle of IPA or a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. This cheese has won many awards, including a silver medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2016.
Pair with
Grey Owl is a Canadian cheese produced by Fromagerie Le Detour in Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Quebec. The cheese is made from goat's milk and it's easily distinguishable by its natural, wrinkly, ashy rind. Underneath the rind, the texture is firm and dense, but it becomes soft and crumbly on the palate.
As it ages, the texture softens, becoming silky smooth, especially near the rind. The aromas are fresh and goaty, while the flavors are sharp, tangy, and lemony. The name Grey Owl refers not only to the color of the rind, but it also honors one of Canada's first conservationist – Archie Belaney, a.k.a. Grey Owl.
Pair with
Castle Blue is a Canadian blue cheese hailing from British Columbia. This brie-style cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's left to ripen from 3 to 10 weeks. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is semi-soft, buttery, and creamy.
The aromas are rich and earthy, while the flavors are creamy and piquant with sweet notes. The blue veins are running throughout the paste. It's recommended to pair Castle Blue with a glass of Syrah or Pinot Noir.
Pair with
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Canadian Cheese Producers
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2018, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
BEST La Moutonniere Cheeses
Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc., located in Bécancour, Quebec, Canada, was established in 1992. The company specializes in the production of organic dairy products, including a variety of cheeses and butter. Their products are made using milk from cows raised on organic feed without the use of synthetic hormones or pesticides.
Fromagerie L'Ancetre emphasizes environmental sustainability in their production processes.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019, 2018

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023, 2019, 2018
BEST Fromagerie L'ancetre Inc. Cheeses
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2018

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000
BEST Fromagerie Tournevent Cheeses
Glengarry Cheesemaking, based in Lancaster, Ontario, specializes in producing fine artisanal cheeses. The company, which has obtained several awards, offers a range of products including the famous Lankaaster cheese - a gouda-style cheese aged to different maturity levels.
They provide cheesemaking supplies and host educational workshops on cheese production.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2016, 2015, 2011
BEST Glengarry Cheesemaking Cheeses
Agropur, based in Quebec, is one of Canada's largest dairy cooperatives. The cooperative was founded in 1938 and has grown significantly over the decades. Agropur processes and distributes a wide variety of dairy products, including cheese, milk, and yogurt.
The cooperative is owned by dairy farmers in Canada.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003
BEST Agropur Cheeses
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2015, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
BEST Fromagerie Bergeron Cheeses
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
BEST Atalanta Corporation/mariposa Dairy Cheeses
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2011

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2014
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2011, 2010
BEST Fromagerie Fritz Kaiser Cheeses
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2012, 2011, 2008, 2007
BEST Fromagerie Le Détour Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Canadian Cheeses
L'Ancetre Organic Old Cheddar is a premium-quality cheese produced by Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc. This cheddar is known for its distinct, bold flavor and smooth, creamy texture, which is the result of a meticulous aging process. The cheese is made from certified organic milk sourced from local farms, emphasizing the brand's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc. ensures that no artificial preservatives or additives are used in the production of this cheese, maintaining its natural and wholesome characteristics.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019, 2018

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023, 2018
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2005, 2004, 2002
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2009, 2006, 2005
La Moutonnière's Feta is a distinct and flavorful cheese made from sheep's milk. Known for its crumbly texture and tangy flavor, this feta is traditionally brined, which enhances its salty and savory notes. The cheese is creamy yet firm, making it versatile for various culinary applications.
It pairs well with salads, Mediterranean dishes, and can be enjoyed on its own or as a topping for various dishes. La Moutonnière emphasizes quality and sustainability in their cheese-making process, using high-quality sheep's milk to create this beloved product.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2012, 2008, 2005
Celtic Blue Reserve is a gourmet cheese product crafted by Glengarry Cheesemaking, which is known for its unique and award-winning cheeses. This particular cheese is a soft, creamy blue cheese with a mild yet distinct flavor profile. It features a slightly tangy, earthy taste with hints of mushroom, thanks to its blue veins.
The texture of Celtic Blue Reserve is smooth and buttery, making it highly versatile for both cooking and direct consumption, whether spread on crackers or melted into sauces. The cheese has also gained recognition in the culinary world, highlighted by its accolades at cheese competitions.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2016, 2015
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
L'Ancetre Organic Medium Cheddar is a cheese product made by Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc., a company known for its commitment to producing high-quality, organic dairy products. This particular cheddar is crafted from organic milk, ensuring that it is free from synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.
The medium cheddar variant offers a balanced flavor profile that is more pronounced than mild cheddar but not as sharp as aged cheddar, making it versatile for a variety of culinary uses. Fromagerie L'Ancetre Inc. takes pride in traditional cheese-making techniques while also maintaining rigorous organic standards, which appeals to health-conscious consumers.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019, 2018
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2012, 2011
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2008, 2005
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. 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.