Kraftkar

Norway probably isn't the first country that comes to mind when we think about great cheese. However, that might change as Norwegian producer Tingvollost won the main prize and the title of the world's best cheese at the 2016 World Cheese Awards in San Sebastian, Spain for its blue cheese called Kraftkar.

More than a hundred judges assessed over 3,000 cheeses according to a number of qualities such as color, texture, and flavor before they came to the conclusion that Kraftkar is undoubtedly the champion. This blue cheese is produced from cow's milk from the family farm located in the village of Torjulvågen.

It has an excellent texture that first crumbles, and then you get a soft creaminess, while the mould is nicely developed and distributed evenly throughout the body. The name of the cheese, translated to strongman, refers to the legendary farmhand Tore Nordbø and his extraordinary size and strength.

The company's chairman Gunnar Waagen was totally stunned when he was presented with the award, expressing his gratitude and acknowledging what it means for a small family business like Tingvollost. All that is left is to book a ticket to Norway and indulge in Kraftkar, preferably paired with crackers, walnuts, figs, fruit jams – or eat it on its own – after all, it is the best cheese in the world!