Best Central European Dairy Product Types
The production of haymilk is the most primitive form of milk production that is adapted to the changing seasons. Austria's principal production areas are Tyrol, Salzburg, and Styria. Dairy cows spend their summer grazing on domestic pastures, where they can enjoy fresh air, clean water and plenty of various herbs and grasses.
Even in winter, they are fed with the highest quality of nutrients, particularly sun-dried hay. The abundance of plants in this area is crucial for the exceptional quality and flavor of the milk, which is rich in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Used in the production of hard cheeses and chocolate, this high-quality raw milk delights with its refined and outstanding flavor.
Classified as fresh cheese, this skimmed milk cheese is one of Poland’s most famous products. This white cow cheese is often compared to curd, quark, or cottage cheese, but twaróg is a unique creation not found anywhere else in the world.
It is white in color, springy and lumpy in texture, and has a slightly tart flavor. Twaróg can be more or less sharp depending on how it is made, and three different skimming techniques result in the partially skimmed półtłusty, fully skimmed chudy, and full-fat tłusty.
Traditionally made in the Belgian Ardennes since the 1800s, Beurre d'Ardenne is a type of butter made from cow's milk. It is crafted in a similar manner even today and produced within the provinces of Luxembourg, Namur and Liège, where the cows graze on lush Ardenne pastures.
In order to preserve the quality and authenticity of the final product, the entire process, including the production of the milk and the maturing and churning of the butter must take place within the designated area. Beurre d'Ardenne is marketed in two varieties, Doux (sweet or unsalted) and Salé (salted).
Produced in Luxembourg since the 1930s, Beurre Rose - Marque Nationale du Grand-Duché is a variety of butter made exclusively using sour cream without the addition of salt. The milk used in its production comes from cows whose nutrition is based on the vegetation of the area.
The aromas of the plants transfer to the taste and smell of this exquisite butter. It is marketed only in 250 and 500-gram packs. Beurre Rose is produced year round and undergoes chemical and organoleptic analysis 15 times a year. It is advisable to keep it in a dark and very cool place to enjoy its taste longer.
Crème de Gruyère, is a rich, thick dairy product from the Swiss canton of Fribourg, known for its luxurious texture and high fat content (at least 45%, often reaching 50%). Traditionally, cream naturally rises to the surface of fresh milk and is skimmed off by hand, a method still practiced in mountain pastures.
In modern cheese dairies, centrifugal separation extracts the cream mechanically, followed by standardization to adjust fat levels. The cream is then either pasteurized (heated to 75°C for 20-30 seconds) or UHT-treated (135-150°C for 2-6 seconds) to extend shelf life.
Ländle rheintaler is a semi-hard cheese made with cow's milk. It is firm, smooth, melts, and a bit spicy. The cheese typically ages about four months and comes in 8 kilos (17.6 lbs) wheels. It is often enjoyed as part of a cheese platter, in cooking, or simply on its own.
The cheese's production follows traditional methods, ensuring a high-quality product that reflects the culinary heritage of the region.
Solčavski sirnek is a traditional aged cheese originating from Solčava and the Upper Savinja valley. This mature and lightly salted cottage cheese is mixed with cumin and fresh cream before serving. The fresh curds made from skimmed milk are salted, mixed with cumin, and placed in a clean container.
The curd is squeezed and covered with a clean cloth before it's left to mature for 14 to 21 days. Sometimes, the cheese is aged for up to 2 months or more. During the maturation process, solčavski sirnek is occasionally stirred and mixed with small amounts of fresh curd cheese.
Best Central European Dairy Product Producers
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
BEST Czech Ghee (České Ghíčko) Dairy Products
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Ferme du Paillart Dairy Products
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2016, 2014, 2012
BEST Urnäscher Milchspezialitäten Cheeses
Zelený Klátov is a cheese producer located in Slovakia, known for using traditional methods to create a variety of sheep and cow milk cheeses. They specialize in producing bryndza, a soft sheep milk cheese that is a key component of Slovak national dishes like bryndzové halušky.
The company operates in the region of Klátov, near Košice, focusing on artisanal production techniques that highlight the natural characteristics of the region's dairy products.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
BEST Zelený Klátov Cheeses
L'Etivaz is a traditional Swiss cheese produced exclusively in the high Alpine regions of the Vaud canton, following strictly defined methods that have been passed down for generations. The uniqueness of L'Etivaz AOP lies in its artisanal production process – the milk is heated exclusively over a wood fire in copper cauldrons, giving the cheese its distinctive rich aroma, subtle smoky notes, and full, nutty flavor.
After shaping, the cheeses are aged for at least five months, allowing them to develop complex aromas and a firm yet melt-in-the-mouth texture. L'Etivaz AOP is produced in limited quantities, with an annual production of around 400 tons, making it one of the most exclusive Swiss cheeses.
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
BEST L'Etivaz Cheeses
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
BEST Drive Me Nuts Dairy Products
Best Central European Dairy Products
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
Urnäscher Brauchtumskäse is a traditional Swiss cheese produced by Urnäscher Milchspezialitäten, a company known for its dedication to quality and craftsmanship in dairy production. This cheese is characterized by its rich and creamy texture, which is a result of the high-quality milk sourced from cows grazing in the lush pastures of the Swiss Alps.
Urnäscher Brauchtumskäse has a distinctive flavor profile that includes nutty and herbal notes, making it a favorite among cheese connoisseurs. It is typically aged to enhance its unique taste attributes, resulting in a well-rounded and complex cheese.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
L'Etivaz Butter is a natural, artisanal butter with a unique flavor, made from cream and whey obtained during the production of L'Etivaz AOP cheese. This process gives it a rich aroma and distinctive character, making it a true Alpine delicacy. The cream undergoes a carefully controlled maturation process, beginning with natural fermentation using lactic bacteria, followed by cooling to 10-12°C for approximately 12 hours.
Once it reaches the ideal consistency, the butter is churned to separate it from the buttermilk, then washed and kneaded to achieve a smooth, creamy texture and evenly distributed moisture. The result is an authentic mountain butter with a full, rich flavor, perfect for spreading, cooking, or enhancing dishes with extra depth and complexity.
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