Best Hard Cheese Types in the World
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
![Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi](/images/products/30d9668c188240bb8578e1c564116fc8.png?w=234&h=140)
Caseificio di Gavasseto e Roncadella
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2022
![Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi](/images/products/443cb68d22304631be38182f0eed3b8b.png?w=234&h=140)
Caseificio Sociale Canevaccia
Parmigiano Reggiano Oltre 40 Mesi
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2021
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
![Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pittara 12 month aged](/images/products/8043062abd3b4115a401c4f1fe29741b.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pittara 12 month aged
Superior Taste Awards - 3 stars 2025, 2024
![Graviera Naxou PDO Pittara](/images/products/74e6fafcfea74ca5a468adc615926f25.jpg?w=234&h=140)
![Graviera Pittara Mpastouni](/images/products/f8bef0332c59452699b069db0fd860ee.jpg?w=234&h=140)
Nikolas Pittaras Creamery
Graviera Pittara Mpastouni
Mediterranean Taste Awards - Gold 2021, 2023, 2024, 2022
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.
Pair with
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.
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).
Pair with
VARIATIONS OF Grana Padano
THE BEST Grana Padano Cheeses
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
![Comtés Juraflore à La Coupe](/images/products/5c74dbfcd4c84fc3bedbe7f17aee1bb2.png?w=234&h=140)
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.
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
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.
Pair with
THE BEST Kefalograviera Cheeses
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
Best Hard Cheese Producers in the World
Kaasboerderij 't Groendal is a cheese producer located in Belgium, specifically in the region of West Flanders. The dairy farm focuses on producing artisanal cheeses using milk from their own herd of cows. Their product range includes several types of Gouda, including unique varieties infused with herbs and other flavors.
The farm is operated by the family Desmet.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
BEST Groendal Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST De' Magi Formaggi Cheeses
Quesos & Besos is a charming artisanal cheese company known for its commitment to quality and tradition. Based in Spain, this company specializes in handcrafted cheeses that celebrate the rich flavors and diverse textures of Spanish cheese-making heritage.
Their product range includes a variety of cheeses made from both cow's and goat's milk, often featuring unique flavor profiles that highlight local ingredients and traditional techniques. Each cheese is crafted with care, ensuring high quality and exceptional taste.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/706d8efcb0874848b67db7eb90850514.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
BEST Quesos & Besos Cheeses
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/685193743a86424ba705bab09e33a2be.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
BEST Little Cheese Farm Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Le Gruyère Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
BEST Kaasmakerij Passendale Cheeses
Village Maid Cheese, based in Reading, England, was established by Anne Wigmore in 1986 after a decade of experience at the National Institute for Research in Dairying. The company is renowned for its artisanal cheeses, including the award-winning Wigmore, Waterloo, and Spenwood, which are all produced using traditional methods and milk from local farms committed to sustainability and animal welfare.
The cheese production at Village Maid emphasizes minimal changes to traditional methods over the years, focusing on handmade processes and environmental sustainability. For instance, they innovated by replacing disposable cheese cloths with a more sustainable alternative to reduce waste.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/3d022f6d0cb2478991f880e5dfcbb122.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Village Maid Cheese Cheeses
Van der Heiden Kaas is a cheese producer based in the Netherlands, specialized in the production and wholesale of various types of Dutch cheeses. The company is involved in both the domestic market and international exports, catering to a range of preferences and requirements.
They focus on maintaining traditional cheese-making processes, ensuring a consistent quality in their cheese offerings.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Van Der Heiden Kaas Cheeses
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bc053d8503464b85939e2b4981ff43f9.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
![2 stars](/images/productawards/407ba31c2a1a4150908862ae40775916.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Belton Farm Cheeses
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/0f0ce23af0f14517afdc9d4a3a745a3d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz Cheeses
Best Hard Cheeses in the World
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c1c1a0e931c2412b915bc06cf14c6c2a.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
![2 stars](/images/productawards/1dc654c0303e4f6f9ff68c09661a223a.png?w=160)
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/706d8efcb0874848b67db7eb90850514.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
Postel Reserve is a premium Belgian cheese, characterized by its firm texture and rich, complex flavors that develop as it matures. This cheese boasts a slightly crumbly consistency and a well-balanced, nutty taste. Ideal for cheese platters, it pairs excellently with robust wines and artisanal breads.
Postel Reserve is a great choice for those seeking a high-quality, flavorful cheese experience.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/706d8efcb0874848b67db7eb90850514.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/bec44c5407e94cd89d697f502447d48c.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/706d8efcb0874848b67db7eb90850514.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/706d8efcb0874848b67db7eb90850514.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
![](https://cdn.tasteatlas.com/images/products/175caf06-1bd5-4289-ac5b-eb3379cd2bde.jpg?w=250&h=141)
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![](https://cdn.tasteatlas.com//images/products/6452b3f7dae14264b33b4dd60e336fdf.jpeg?w=250&h=141)
![](/images/emblems/1e2394c7ea784e6883c4f7ec30a9584b.png?mh=40)
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 February 14, 2025, 11,845 ratings were recorded, of which 7,391 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.