Best German Hard Cheese Types
Allgäu mountain cheese is made with raw, silage-free and untreated cow milk from local dairies in the Bavarian Alps. Often called 'Emmentaler's baby brother', Allgäuer Bergkäse is made in the Allgäu Alps during the spring months, and after about 4 weeks it is brought down to the Allgäu valley where it is left to mature for at least 3-4 months.
It is classified as a hard cheese and, depending on its age, it has a mildly piquant flavor ranging from mellow with fruity and nutty notes in less mature varieties to more complex, pungent flavors when fully aged.
Pair with
THE BEST Allgäuer Bergkäse Cheeses
Emmentaler cheese originates from the Swiss Emmental Valley in the Bern canton. Originally, this 'King of the Mountain Cheeses' used to be produced as a pure mountain cheese only during the summer months. Today, Allgäu Emmentaler is available year round.
It is made with raw cow's milk, and thanks to the amazing flora of the Allgäu Alps, each cheese wheel develops its own distinctive flavor. Younger Emmentalers are quite mild and have a nutty finish, but as the cheese ages, the flavors and aromas become stronger and more refined.
Harzer is a German cheese made from cow's milk. It hails from the Harz mountain region, hence the name. The cheese ripens for a few days up to a week before it's ready for consumption. It contains only 1% fat, which is why it's often used in the world of sport and fitness.
Harzer has a strong and pungent aroma, it is often flavored with caraway, and it is usually shaped into small or long logs which are typically wrapped in cellophane before being sold. There are two types of Harzer – one is smeared with yellow bacteria, and the other one with red bacteria, in a version that is spicier than the yellow variety.
Pair with
This firm cheese comes from the Allgäu region of Bavaria in Germany. This Alpine cheese is made with raw milk from Swiss brown cows, and is produced only in the summer months in the Allgäu mountains. Apart from its high carotene and Omega-3 content, Sennalpkäse has a strong, spicy flavor with a pronounced smoky aroma.
Traditionally, this artisan cheese is sold directly on the pastures to hikers, climbers, and tourists passing through the Allgäu Alps.
Best German Hard Cheese Producers
Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz is a cheese producer located in Germany, specializing in organic cheeses made from raw milk. The company is situated in Oster-Ohrstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, and operates with a focus on sustainability and natural cheese production methods.
They offer a variety of cheeses, including both cow's milk and goat's milk options, manufactured under strict organic standards.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz Cheeses
Baldauf Käse is a cheese producer based in Germany, specifically known for producing Limburger cheese. The company was founded in 1862 and is located in the Allgäu region, an area traditionally recognized for its dairy products. Gebr. Baldauf GmbH & Co.
KG also offers a range of other cheeses, including Bergkäse and Weißlacker, and focuses on using traditional methods and regional milk.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2022, 2020
BEST Baldauf Käse Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Molkerei Söbbeke Cheeses
Hochland is a family-owned company specializing in cheese production, founded in 1927. Initially, Hochland started as a small regional cheese producer, but over time, it has grown into a major player in the European market. Today, the company produces high-quality cheeses that are available in supermarkets and stores across Europe, and it has an expanding presence in international markets.
The company specializes in producing a variety of cheeses, including processed cheeses, soft cheeses, and spreadable cheeses, with a constant focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability.
Best German Hard Cheeses
Deichkäse Gold is a cheese product made by Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz. This company is known for producing high-quality artisan cheeses using raw milk. Backensholz specializes in creating unique cheeses that reflect the terroir of their production area in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
The cheese-makers are dedicated to traditional methods and sustainability, often sourcing milk from their own herd of cows. "Deichkäse" suggests that the cheese is influenced by its coastal origins, likely benefiting from the salty air and rich pastures near the dykes. "Gold" indicates that this variant of Deichkäse may have a special aging process or particular richness to its flavor profile that sets it apart from other cheeses in the Deichkäse line.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
Deichkäse Edel is a cheese product made by Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz. This company specializes in producing high-quality cheeses from raw milk. The Deichkäse Edel is known for its rich flavor profile and creamy texture. It is traditionally crafted using time-honored cheese-making techniques.
The product is often aged to enhance its taste and complexity.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
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.