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Top 100 Hard Cheeses in the World

Last update: Wed Mar 26 2025
Top 100 Hard Cheeses in the World
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Hard Cheese Types in the World

01

Cheese

PROVINCE OF PARMA, Italy and  4 more regions
4.7
Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano infographic
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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. 
THE BEST Parmigiano Reggiano Cheeses
1 Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
Caseificio di Gavasseto e Roncadella
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2022

2 Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
Caseificio Sociale Canevaccia
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2021

3 Parmigiano Reggiano PDO
Nuova Castelli
Parmigiano Reggiano PDO

5.0

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Global Cheese Awards - Best 2024

4
Latteria Sociale Moderna
Parmigiano Reggiano Stagionato 30-39 Mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024

5 Parmigiano Reggiano Dotti 36 mesi
Casearia Dotti
Parmigiano Reggiano Dotti 36 mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024

02

Cheese

NAXOS ISLAND, Greece
4.7
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This cheese has been produced on the island of Naxos in the Cyclades for at least a century. Graviera Naxou is made from pasteurised cow milk or a mixture of sheep milk and a maximum of 20% goat milk. It has a thin rind and a light yellow, compact interior filled with small holes.


Graviera Naxou is a hard table cheese with a refreshing taste and light aroma. It has a maximum moisture content of 38% and at least 40% fat content. The milk used for its production comes from breeds that are traditionally raised on the island, which feed on a diet of local plants and herbs that give their milk a unique flavor. 
THE BEST Graviera Naxou Cheeses
1 Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pittara 12 month aged
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pittara 12 month aged

4.9

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Superior Taste Awards - 3 stars 2025, 2024

2 Graviera Naxou P.D.O.
E.A.S. Naxos
Graviera Naxou P.D.O.

4.8

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Taste Olymp Awards - Gold 2017

3 Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara

4.7

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Superior Taste Awards - 2 stars 2024

4 Graviera Pittara Mpastouni
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Pittara Mpastouni

4.7

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Mediterranean Taste Awards - Gold 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

03

Cheese

SARDINIA, Italy
4.6
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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. 
04
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This cheese has a long history, and it is the best-known Greek graviera cheese. It is produced using traditional methods and ripened in facilities in Hania, Rethymnos, Iraklion, and Lasithio prefectures on the island of Crete. It is traditionally produced from sheep milk or from a mixture of sheep milk and a maximum of 20% goat milk.


These goats and sheep wander freely on the green pastures of the island, and their diet is based on local plants, which give their milk a special quality that is expressed in this exceptional cheese. It is a hard table cheese with a light yellow color and firm texture. 
05

Cheese

LOMBARDY, Italy
4.5
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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). 
THE BEST Grana Padano Cheeses
1 Grana Padano Reserva
Bradburys Cheese
Grana Padano Reserva

5.0

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International Cheese Awards - Gold 2024, 2023

2 Grana Padano DOP Selezione da Fieno 50 mesi
Latteria San Pietro
Grana Padano DOP Selezione da Fieno 50 mesi

5.0

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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024

3 Grana Padano PDO
Nuova Castelli
Grana Padano PDO

5.0

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Global Cheese Awards - Gold 2024, 2019

4 Grana Padano Riserva MN424 Virgilio Selezione
Consorzio Latterie Virgilio
Grana Padano Riserva MN424 Virgilio Selezione

4.9

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World Cheese Awards - Gold 2023

5 Grana Padano MN432 Virgilio Selezione
Consorzio Latterie Virgilio
Grana Padano MN432 Virgilio Selezione

4.9

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World Cheese Awards - Gold 2023

06

Cheese

FRANCHE-COMTÉ, France
4.5
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Comté is a big, hard cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk, with at least 45% fat and a pressed, cooked paste. Each cheese wheel is unique with numerous taste varieties that can range from milky, spicy, roasted to fruity, buttery or plant-like due to the fact the milk it is made from must be used immediately.


It is made in the Jura massif in the caves of Doubs, Jura and Haute-Saône departments in France. The maturation period lasts at least 120 days and it is turned and scrubbed regularly during the process. Comté also has a seasonal stamp, like winter, summer, mountain Comté or plains Comté. 
THE BEST Comté Cheeses
1 Comté AOP plus de 24 mois
Fromager Marie-Anne Cantin
Comté AOP plus de 24 mois

5.0

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2 Comté
Fromagerie Chez Virginie
Comté

5.0

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3 Comté
Cremerie Marcel Petite
Comté

5.0

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4
Fruitiere Du Pays Grandvallier
Comté

5.0

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Concours International de Lyon - Gold 2025

5 Comtés Juraflore à La Coupe
JuraFlore - Fort des Rousses
Comtés Juraflore à La Coupe

4.9

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World Cheese Awards - Gold 2024

07

Cheese

SARDINIA, Italy and  one more region
4.5
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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.

08

Cheese

BEAUFORT, France
4.5
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Named after its town of origin and produced in the French Rhône-Alpes region since the Middle Ages, Beaufort is a hard cheese made from raw milk of the Tarentaise cattle breed. It is typically matured much longer than its softer Alpine counterparts, about four to five months.


During the first two months, Beaufort is salt-rubbed on a daily basis, and once the rind has matured enough, the cheese wheels are smeared with morge - a mixture of brine, whey and old cheese scrapings. This distinctive convex-sided cheese comes in three varieties: Le Beaufort, produced from November to May; Le Beaufort d’Été, produced in the summer and Le Beaufort Chalet d’Alpage, the most prized variety made in Alpine chalets using only milk from a single herd of cows pastured at altitudes of 1500m and above. 
THE BEST Beaufort Cheeses
1 Beaufort chalet d'alpage AOP
Fromager Marie-Anne Cantin
Beaufort chalet d'alpage AOP

5.0

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2
Coopérative Laitière de la Chambre
Beaufort AOP

5.0

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Concours International de Lyon - Gold 2025

09

Cheese

EPIRUS, Greece
4.5
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This is one of the most famous Greek cheeses. It has been made in Western Macedonia, Epirus, Aitoloakarnanina, Evrytania, and in western mainland Greece since the 1960s, which makes it one of the newest cheeses on the Greek market. It is a hard table cheese usually made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk. Kefalograviera got its name after two cheeses because it's a cross between Kefalotyri, a salty, intensely flavored cheese, and the mellow Graviera cheese.


It is sold in wheels or wedges, and is easily identified by its firm texture and light brown rind. Statistics show that it is becoming one of the most widespread cheeses in Greece, with annual production of around 3,000 tons. Kefalograviera is a hard table cheese that is often used to prepare a popular Greek fried cheese dish called saganaki.

THE BEST Kefalograviera Cheeses
1
optima sa
Kefalograviera PDO Cheese

4.9

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International Cheese Awards - Gold 2024

10
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Grana Padano Oltre 16 mesi is a version of Grana Padano that's aged from 16 to 20 months. Due to the aging process, its texture gets crumbly, so this version is often used for grating over various dishes. The flavors are more herbal and milky than in the 9-16 months version of the cheese, and it's also got more aciditiy.


This 16-month version also melts well on the palate, with subtle nutty hints. It's recommended to serve this Grana variety with strawberries and pepper.

THE BEST Grana Padano Oltre 16 mesi Cheeses
1
Caseificio Pennar
Grana Padano Dop Gran Riserva 60 mesi

5.0

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Concours International de Lyon - Gold 2025

11
12
Cheese
GRUYÈRES, Switzerland
4.4
13
14
Cheese
METSOVO, Greece
4.4
15
Cheese
VALTELLINA, Italy
4.4
16
17
Cheese
CANTON OF VAUD, Switzerland
4.4
18
Cheese
LIVNO, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4.4
19
20
21
Cheese
BRAGANÇA DISTRICT, Portugal
4.4
22
Cheese
CETINJE MUNICIPALITY, Montenegro
4.4
23
24
Cheese
GREECE  and  one more region
4.3
25
Cheese
BAGOLINO, Italy
4.3
26
Cheese
NORTH HOLLAND, Netherlands
4.3
27
Cheese
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, Spain
4.3
28
Cheese
CASTELO BRANCO DISTRICT, Portugal
4.3
29
Cheese
CHEDDAR, England
4.2
30
Cheese
GOUDA, Netherlands
4.2
31
Cheese
APPENZELL, Switzerland
4.2
32
Cheese
BURTRÄSK, Sweden
4.2
33
Cheese
PROVINCE OF ZAMORA, Spain
4.2
34
Cheese
PROVINCE OF RAGUSA, Italy
4.2
35
36
37
Cheese
SARDINIA, Italy
4.2
38
Cheese
BURSA PROVINCE, Turkiye  and  one more region
4.2
39
40
41
Cheese
ASIAGO, Italy
4.1
42
Cheese
COUNTY CORK, Ireland
4.1
43
Cheese
ARAGON, Spain
4.1
44
Cheese
SWITZERLAND
4.1
45
46
Cheese
RONCAL VALLEY, Spain
4.1
47
Cheese
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, Spain
4.1
48
Cheese
CANTAL, France
4.1
49
Cheese
PROVINCE OF BELLUNO, Italy
4.1
50
Cheese
PIROT DISTRICT, Serbia
4.1
51
Cheese
LEMNOS, Greece
4.1
52
53
54
Cheese
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, England
4.0
55
Cheese
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, Spain
4.0
56
Cheese
MAULÉON-LICHARRE, France
4.0
57
58
59
Cheese
CANTON OF BERN, Switzerland
4.0
60
61
Cheese
LEICESTER, England
3.9
62
63
64
65
66
Cheese
SICILY, Italy  and  one more region
3.8
67
68
69
70
Cheese
CHESHIRE EAST, England
3.7
71
Cheese
MYKONOS, Greece
3.7
72
Cheese
ARGENTINA
3.7
73
Cheese
CHARM, United States of America
3.6
74
75
76
Cheese
ARMENIA
3.5
77
Cheese
ŠTRPCE, Kosovo
3.4
78
Cheese
GLARUS, Switzerland
3.2
79
Cheese
LOWER SAXONY, Germany
2.9
80
Cheese
PROVINCE OF POTENZA, Italy
4.7
81
82
Cheese
UTRECHT PROVINCE, Netherlands
4.2
83
84
Cheese
FRIESLAND, Netherlands
4.2
85
86
87
Cheese
METROPOLITAN CITY OF BARI, Italy
4.1
88
89
Cheese
COOLEA, Ireland
4.0
90
91
Cheese
BELP, Switzerland
3.9
92
93
Cheese
CANTON OF VAUD, Switzerland
3.8
94
Cheese
PROVINCE OF CUNEO, Italy  and  one more region
3.7
95
Cheese
NAZARETH, Belgium
3.6
96
Cheese
TRENTO, Italy
3.5
97
Cheese
VERMONT, United States of America
3.5
98
99
Cheese
BRANZI, Italy
3.3
100
Cheese
BJELOVAR-BILOGORA COUNTY, Croatia
3.3
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Hard Cheese Producers in the World

01

Cheese

BÜTSCHWIL, Switzerland
4.8
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Güntensperger Käse is a family-owned Swiss cheese producer with over 130 years of tradition, located in the Bütschwil, Switzerland. Known for its dedication to quality, the company blends time-honored recipes with innovative methods. They offer a wide range of award-winning cheeses, produced from the finest milk sourced from local small farms.


Their commitment to animal welfare and sustainable practices ensures top-quality products. Güntensperger Käse’s selection includes both classic and modern creations, with products available worldwide and in their factory store. Their expertise in the craft is reflected in the consistently high standards of their cheeses, backed by modern aging techniques and regular quality control.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

BEST Güntensperger Käse Cheeses
02

Cheese

HÉLETTE, France
4.8
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Agour is a renowned Basque producer specializing in a wide range of high-quality products, particularly famous for their artisanal Ossau-Iraty sheep's milk cheese, which has been recognized as one of the best cheeses in the world. Established in 1981, Agour is dedicated to showcasing the traditional flavors and techniques of Basque gastronomy.


Agour's cheeses are crafted with the utmost respect for tradition, using the finest local ingredients, including milk sourced from regional shepherds. The company takes pride in its sustainable practices and its support of local farmers.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2019

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2021

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2024

BEST Agour Cheeses
03

Cheese

ISIGNY-SUR-MER, France
4.8
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Isigny Sainte-Mère is a cooperative dairy located in Normandy, France, specializing in producing Camembert cheese, butter, and cream with milk sourced from the local area. The cooperative was established in 1932 and takes advantage of the rich grasses of Normandy, which impart a particular quality and flavor to its dairy products.


Isigny Sainte-Mère also holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for some of its products, such as Isigny butter and Isigny cream, ensuring they meet strict geographical and quality criteria.
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2021

BEST Isigny Sainte-Mère Cheeses
04

Cheese

BLESKENSGRAAF, Netherlands
4.7
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Zuivelfabriek De Graafstroom is a cheese producer located in Bleskensgraaf, Netherlands. It has been operational since 1908 and specializes in producing Dutch Gouda cheese. The company is a part of the DeltaMilk cooperative, which includes over 175 dairy farms, ensuring a steady supply of fresh milk.


De Graafstroom distinguishes itself by using traditional methods combined with modern technology to craft its cheeses.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2024, 2023, 2021, 2019

Global Cheese Awards - Champion

2024, 2023, 2019

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018

BEST Zuivelfabriek De Graafstroom Cheeses
Oud
05

Cheese

READING, United States of America
4.7
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Spring Brook Farm Cheese is located in Reading, Vermont, where they produce artisanal cheeses. The cheeses produced by Spring Brook Farm are made using traditional techniques and include varieties such as Tarentaise, an alpine-style cheese. The farm also operates as an educational facility, teaching students about sustainable agriculture through its partnership with the Farms for City Kids Foundation.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2019

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place

2024, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2020, 2010

BEST Spring Brook Farm Cheese Cheeses
06

Cheese

DÜDINGEN, Switzerland
4.7
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Walo von Mühlenen specializes in the production and maturation of Swiss cheeses, working with affineurs to age cheeses in optimal conditions. The company highlights traditional methods and regional cheese varieties, maintaining close relationships with small-scale dairies to ensure high-quality products.


They are known for promoting lesser-known Swiss cheeses alongside internationally recognized varieties.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2019

07

Cheese

LOTENHULLE, Belgium
4.7
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Little Cheese Farm is a family-owned artisanal cheese producer located in Belgium. They focus on creating high-quality, handcrafted cheeses using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. Their range of products includes a variety of cheeses made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, all crafted with a passion for sustainability and authenticity.


Known for their dedication to preserving the unique flavors of the region, Little Cheese Farm emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, delivering exceptional cheeses that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Belgium.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2022, 2021

BEST Little Cheese Farm Cheeses
08

Cheese

WHITCHURCH, England
4.7
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Belton Farm is a British cheese producer. The farm has been producing cheese since the 1920s, leveraging traditional methods to craft its products. They specialize in making British territorial cheeses, including Cheshire, Red Leicester, and Double Gloucester.


Belton Farm has won numerous awards for their cheeses, indicating a high standard of quality in their production processes.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018

BEST Belton Farm Cheeses
09
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Lustenberger & Dürst, a Swiss company, specializes in the production and aging of premium cheeses. They utilize traditional methods along with innovative techniques to mature their products. The company works closely with local farmers to source high-quality milk, which is essential for their distinct cheese flavors.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2023

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022, 2019

BEST Lustenberger & Dürst Cheeses
10

Cheese

CASTIGLION FIORENTINO, Italy
4.7
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De' Magi is a renowned Italian cheese producer, led by Andrea De Magi, that specializes in creating high-quality cheeses using traditional methods. Located in Castiglion Fiorentino, Tuscany, De' Magi is known for its refined approach to cheese-making, elevating the flavors and textures of its products through careful aging and the use of unique techniques.


De' Magi produces a wide range of cheeses, including soft, semi-hard, and blue varieties, each crafted with precision and expertise. Their cheeses are celebrated for their originality, craftsmanship, and intense flavors. The company is also deeply involved in cheese education, offering training and consulting services to foodservice professionals, teaching the best practices for cutting, presenting, and storing their exceptional cheeses. 
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022, 2021

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2022

BEST De’ Magi Cheeses
11
Cheese
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, Germany
4.7
12
Cheese
PRINGY, Switzerland
4.7
13
Cheese
PASSENDALE, Belgium
4.7
14
Cheese
GUARROMÁN, Spain
4.7
15
16
Cheese
UINTAH, United States of America
4.7
17
Cheese
REGGIO EMILIA1, Italy
4.7
18
Cheese
OBERVELLACH, Austria
4.7
19
Cheese
GREENSBORO, United States of America
4.7
20
Cheese
MACAYE, France
4.7
21
Cheese
MAISHOFEN, Austria
4.7
22
Cheese
BRUTON, England
4.7
23
Cheese
KELSTON, England
4.7
24
Cheese
CHICAGO, United States of America
4.7
25
26
Cheese
BUXTON, England
4.7
27
28
Cheese
HAWES, United Kingdom
4.7
29
30
Cheese
COATESVILLE, United States of America
4.7
31
Cheese
SHEPTON MALLET, England
4.7
32
Cheese
AMRISWIL, Switzerland
4.7
33
34
Cheese
TURTLE LAKE, United States of America
4.7
35
36
Cheese
CORK, Ireland
4.7
37
Cheese
MILLERSBURG, United States of America
4.7
38
39
Cheese
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, United States of America
4.7
40
41
Cheese
BERGAMO, Italy
4.7
42
43
Cheese
PONSANOOTH, England
4.6
44
Cheese
FRIBOURG, Switzerland
4.6
45
Cheese
WESTBEEMSTER, Netherlands
4.6
46
Cheese
HÖRBRANZ, Austria
4.6
47
Cheese
NEW JERSEY, United States of America
4.6
48
Cheese
ROESELARE, Belgium
4.6
49
50
Cheese
FELDKIRCH, Austria
4.6
51
Cheese
LUCERNE, Switzerland
4.6
52
53
Cheese
BODEGRAVEN, Netherlands
4.6
54
55
Cheese
WÖRGL, Austria
4.6
56
Cheese
BITSCH, Switzerland
4.6
57
Cheese
WELS, Austria
4.6
58
Cheese
MÜSTAIR, Switzerland
4.6
59
60
Cheese
FRESNO DE LA RIBERA, Spain
4.6
61
62
Cheese
LINDENBERG IM ALLGÄU, Germany
4.6
63
Cheese
VESTBYGDA, Norway
4.6
64
Cheese
SPITTAL AN DER DRAU, Austria
4.6
65
66
Cheese
HEERENVEEN, Netherlands
4.6
67
Cheese
SANTA CRISTINA DE LA POLVOROSA, Spain
4.6
68
69
70
71
Cheese
SOUTH TYROL, Italy
4.6
72
Cheese
NAMSSKOGAN, Norway
4.6
73
Cheese
GHEORGHENI, Romania
4.6
74
Cheese
LOBORIKA, Croatia
4.6
75
Cheese
KRZESZÓW, Poland
4.6
76
Cheese
GIESSENBURG, Netherlands
4.6
77
78
Cheese
ST. JOHNS, United States of America
4.5
79
Cheese
MARUM, Netherlands
4.5
80
Cheese
FERNDALE, United States of America
4.5
81
Cheese
NAXOS, Greece
4.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Hard Cheeses in the World

01
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Glocknergold is a renowned hard cheese produced by Pinzgau Milch in Austria, distinguished for its rich flavor and exceptional quality. The Glocknerkönig cheese is characterized by its fine texture and a yellowish-creamy color. The careful cultivation process employs a red culture, which imparts a spicy and robust flavor to this cheese specialty.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

02

BLESKENSGRAAF, Netherlands
5.0
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best

2024

Global Cheese Awards - Champion

2024

03
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Spenwood cheese, produced by Village Maid Cheese in Berkshire, England, is a distinguished artisanal cheese crafted from unpasteurised ewe's milk using vegetarian rennet. This firm cheese is matured for about 7-8 months, developing a thin, natural rind during the process.


Its flavor profile is rich and nutty with sweet and savory notes, and it becomes more piquant and slightly crumbly as it ages, making it a great substitute for Parmesan in various dishes. Spenwood is often compared to Mediterranean cheeses like Pecorino and Manchego due to its texture and taste. 
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022, 2021

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best

2023

04
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024, 2023

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2019

05
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The Black Truffle Vintage Organic Cheddar by Godminster is a unique and luxurious cheese known for its rich, earthy flavor profile, enhanced by the addition of black truffle. This organic cheddar is crafted using traditional methods and high-quality organic milk.


Aged to perfection, it combines the robust sharpness of vintage cheddar with the distinctive and aromatic essence of black truffles, creating a complex and unforgettable taste experience. Packaged in an elegant black wax coating, it is not only a treat for the palate but also visually appealing, making it an excellent choice for gourmet cheese boards or as a special gift for cheese enthusiasts.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2019

Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best

2023

06
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

07
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

08
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Affineur Walo Jura Mountain cheese is a product created by Walo von Mühlenen, a company renowned for its expertise in aging and refining cheeses. The cheese is made from cow's milk and reflects the rich traditions of Swiss cheesemaking. It is aged to develop a complex flavor profile, with creamy and nutty undertones and a smooth texture.


The aging process takes place in specialized facilities to ensure the cheese attains its characteristic depth of flavor and unique aroma.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

09
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Vorarlberger Bergkäse is a product made by Dorfsennerei Schlins-Röns und Umgebung. It is a type of mountain cheese from the Vorarlberg region in Austria and is known for its robust and aromatic flavor, which develops during the aging process that exceeds 10 months.


The cheese is produced using traditional methods with raw cow's milk from local farms, contributing to its distinct character and high quality.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

10
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Roter Teufel Extra is a distinctive and highly regarded hard cheese produced by Güntensperger Käse in Switzerland. This cheese is known for its intense aroma, which results from a long aging process and high-quality ingredients. Roter Teufel Extra is very intense and spicy, with a rich, creamy texture.


Over time, as it ages, its flavor becomes more pronounced and stronger. It is a cheese for those who enjoy stronger, spicier varieties. The cheese is firm and dense, but it has a slightly crumbly structure, which is characteristic of longer-aged cheeses. 
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

11
12
13
14
LUCERNE, Switzerland
5.0
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Cheese
STAMFORD, United States of America
5.0
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Cheese
FRIBOURG, Switzerland
4.9
49
50
Cheese
COATESVILLE, United States of America
4.9
51
52
53
LUCERNE, Switzerland
4.9
54
55
56
57
58
59
Cheese
CASTIGLION FIORENTINO, Italy
4.9
60
61
62
Cheese
CASTIGLION FIORENTINO, Italy
4.9
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
Cheese
CANTON OF VAUD, Switzerland
4.9
70
71
Cheese
SHEPTON MALLET, England
4.9
72
CHICAGO, United States of America
4.9
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
Cheese
LINDENBERG IM ALLGÄU, Germany
4.9
80
Cheese
WESTBEEMSTER, Netherlands
4.9
81
82
83
Cheese
TURTLE LAKE, United States of America
4.9
84
85
86
87
Cheese
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, United States of America
4.9
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
Cheese
NEW JERSEY, United States of America
4.9
100

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 Hard Cheeses in the World” list until March 26, 2025, 11,972 ratings were recorded, of which 7,486 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.