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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
BEST Groendal Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
BEST Little Cheese Farm Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Le Gruyère Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
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
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2019
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz Cheeses
Best Hard Cheeses in the World
AWARDS
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
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
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
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
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.