TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Croatian Cheese Types
Paški sir is a hard Croatian cheese originating from the island of Pag. The cheese is made from milk of the Pag sheep. The harsh bura wind dusts the island with sea salt, flavoring various herbs (such as immortelle, sage, and sea fennel) on which the sheep graze, and as a result their milk has a unique flavor.
This award-winning cheese is characterized by a dry, flaky, grainy, and crumbly texture, and a tangy, salty flavor. The cheese is typically rubbed with ash and olive oil, and it's then left to mature for at least four months. As it matures, the tangy and savory flavors become even stronger.
THE BEST Paški sir Cheeses
Škripavac is a Croatian cheese made from raw cows' milk, characterized by its fresh aroma and a soft, gummy-like texture. The flavors are mild, milky, and slightly sweet. The cheese is named after the Croatian word for squeaky, because škripavac makes a distinctive sound when bitten into it. Škripavac is almost always made from the milk of Buša breed of cows - they are well adapted to the Lika region, where the cheese is produced.
It's recommended to eat it on its own, with a few slices of homemade bread, although the cheese can also be grilled for a true gourmet experience.
Pair with
Dinarski sir is a Croatian hard cheese produced in the Dinaric mountain region, hence the name. It is made from a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. The first cheese was made in 2009, when there was too much leftover goat’s milk that was intended for the production of Kozlar cheese, so Šime Gligora combined it with cow’s milk, and Dinarski sir was born.
Its texture is crumbly, compact, firm, and dense, while the flavors are rich, nutty, and grassy. For a unique experience, pair it with marinated anchovies and a glass of Zlatan Plavac.
Pair with
VARIATIONS OF Dinarski sir
Paška skuta is a traditional ricotta-type cheese produced on the island of Pag. The skuta is made from leftover whey after the production of the famous and award-winning Paški sir. The curd is separated and drained, usually overnight, and the result is a soft and fresh cheese with a unique mild and gentle flavor coming from the milk of the indigenous Pag sheep (Paška ovca).
This fresh skuta is low in fat and it's full of healthy Omega-3, protein, calcium, and zinc. The cheese is very versatile and it's recommended to use it in cheese cakes or flavor it with orange liqueur and serve it with fresh fruit. Paška skuta is especially good for liver regeneration, and on the island of Pag, while the strong bura wind blew over the landscape, people would often begin their day with a cup of black coffee with pieces of skuta placed inside of it.
Basa is a unique Croatian cheese that is typically produced from the buša cow breed in the region of Lika, although it can contain sheep's milk as well. This soft cheese has a delicately creamy texture and can also be used as a spread or as an accompaniment to charcuterie products or baked potatoes.
Basa is most commonly made by combining varenika (boiled and chilled milk), sour milk, and salt. When the mixture becomes stiff, the whey is drained, and basa is wrapped in a cloth to drain completely. All that is left is to enjoy the delicious flavors and textures of this exceptional Croatian product.
Bjelovarski kvargl is a traditional, handmade Croatian cheese hailing from the Bjelovar-Bilogora County. The cheese is made from drained cow's milk that's mixed with salt, paprika, and sometimes garlic. It's then shaped into pointed cones (more pointed than similar cheese Prgica and Turoš) which are subsequently dried and smoked.
The smoking and drying process extends kvargl's shelf life. The texture is dense, firm, and dry. When sliced, a pinkish color with white grains is clearly visible on the cross-section. There is a pronounced aroma of paprika and smoke, while the flavors are mildly acidic and slightly piquant.
Istarska skuta is a Croatian cheese hailing from Istria. This white curd cheese made from full-fat cow's milk or sheep's milk whey is soft, supple, and creamy in texture. The aromas are creamy and the flavors are mild. The sheep's milk version is stronger than cow's milk version, with a recognizable aromatic scent.
The sheep's milk version is also somewhat grainier than cow's milk skuta. The cheese can be spread on bread and it's also often used as an accompaniment or an ingredient in various savory and sweet dishes, from appetizers to desserts. When heat treated, istarska skuta keeps its creamy texture.
Dinarski sir iz maslinove komine is a Croatian hard cheese originating from the Dalmatian hinterlands around Dinara mountain. It is made from a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. The cheese is aged for at least 4 months in pressed olive skins.
Its texture is compact, dense, firm, flaky, and crystalline, while the flavors are grassy, earthy, and milky.
Težački sir iz maslinove komine is a Croatian hard cheese originating from the Dalmatian hinterland. It is made from pasteurized cow’s milk. The cheese is very aromatic due to the fact that it ages for at least 4 months in pressed olive skins.
It develops an open and supple texture, while the flavors are quite robust. It is recommended to pair this artisan cheese with a glass of Chardonnay (white) or Plavac Mali (red).
Grobnički sir is a Croatian cheese produced in the Grobnik valley, near the city of Rijeka. It is made from sheep's milk and has a cylindrical shape. The cheese is chalky-white in color and hard and granulated in texture, filled with numerous circular or elliptical eyes throughout its body.
The flavor is very salty, yet pleasant. Grobnik cheese matures in brine for up to one year, so it doesn't have a rind. It is recommended to consume it as an appetizer with local ham.
Pair with
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Croatian Cheese Producers
Agrolaguna, based in Porec, Croatia, is a producer of cheese, wine, and olive oil. The company manages significant agricultural activities, including dairy farming, which contributes to its cheese production. Agrolaguna's cheeses are made from the milk of cows grazed in local pastures, reflecting the regional characteristics and flavors of Istria.
These products are sold under the Lagune brand, with a variety of cheese types catering to different tastes and preferences.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Agrolaguna Cheeses
Sirana Gligora, located in Croatia, specializes in producing artisan cheeses primarily from sheep's milk. The company was founded by Ivan Gligora in 1995 on the island of Pag. They are notably recognized for their flagship cheese, Paški sir, a hard sheep's milk cheese awarded internationally for its quality.
Sirana Gligora uses traditional cheese-making techniques integrated with modern technology.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Sirana Gligora Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/ca72fda6ae3e4aa393becc0ef182e4b2.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
BEST Paška Sirana Cheeses
BEST Vesna Loborika Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Croatian Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
Paški Sir, made by Paška Sirana, is a renowned sheep's milk cheese originating from the island of Pag in Croatia. Known for its distinct flavor, Paški Sir is crafted using milk from local sheep that graze on the aromatic Mediterranean herbs and salty grasses native to Pag's rocky landscape.
This unique diet imparts a rich and savory taste to the cheese, characterized by its slightly crumbly texture and a taste that combines sweet, salty, and piquant notes. Aged for several months, Paški Sir develops a hard, golden-yellow rind and a creamy, dense interior, making it a favorite in Croatian cuisine and a sought-after delicacy internationally.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/ca72fda6ae3e4aa393becc0ef182e4b2.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/440ab9bd14f9463788a4de2fa822543a.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d18e12819d9e467c81c5be6f3d657122.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2021
Liburjan is a product made by Sirana Gligora, a renowned dairy located on the island of Pag in Croatia. This cheese is notable for its high-quality ingredients and traditional production methods that have earned the dairy numerous awards and recognition both domestically and internationally.
Sirana Gligora is celebrated for producing artisanal cheeses that reflect the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the region.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/440ab9bd14f9463788a4de2fa822543a.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d18e12819d9e467c81c5be6f3d657122.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2021
Miješani sir u orahovom lišču is a product made by Agrolaguna. This mixed cheese is wrapped in walnut leaves, which imparts a unique flavor and preserves the cheese naturally. The cheese is known for its rich texture and aromatic profile, making it a specialty item in local and regional markets.
This product exemplifies traditional cheese-making techniques combined with modern production standards, reflecting the company's commitment to quality.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/ca72fda6ae3e4aa393becc0ef182e4b2.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/047a35279e9d4f73be3b4005822bcb28.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/440ab9bd14f9463788a4de2fa822543a.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
Naturally smoked cow milk cheese made by Sirana Gligora is crafted using high-quality cow’s milk. This cheese undergoes a traditional smoking process, imparting a distinctive, rich, and smoky flavor that enhances its creamy texture. Sirana Gligora, a renowned Croatian cheese producer, ensures that the cheese is aged to perfection to develop its unique taste profile.
The cheese pairs well with various wines and is a favorite for both culinary uses and as part of a cheese platter.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/407ba31c2a1a4150908862ae40775916.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
Istarski miješani sir is a cheese produced by Agrolaguna, a company based in Istria, Croatia. This cheese combines cow, sheep, and goat milk, reflecting the diverse dairy farming traditions of the region. It is known for its rich and complex flavor profile, which includes a mix of mild and slightly sharp notes, making it versatile in culinary use.
Istarski miješani sir is appreciated for its semi-hard texture and slight crumbliness, making it suitable for slicing as well as grating over dishes. This product is often celebrated as a testament to the rich agricultural and dairy-producing heritage of Istria.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
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