Gamalost is a traditional cheese made from skimmed cow's milk. The cheese has a mold-ripened rind; its texture is dense, granular, and chewy, the aromas pungent, while the flavor is sharp. It's also rich in protein and has a fat content of only 0.5 to 1.0%.
The cheese is traditionally aged from 1 to 6 months. In order to make it, an acid is added to skim milk, causing it to sour. The fermented solids are then pressed into molds to create the circular shape. Later on, the cheese is hand-rubbed with mold and left to age.
The name and the size of Hessen Handkäse are both derived from its traditional manufacturing method, in which the cheese was molded by hand. Handkäse is a German regional sour milk cheese produced in Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Rheinhessen.
It has a fat content of less than 1% and an impressive protein content of 25%. Hessen Handkäse is a delicious cheese with quite a pungent aroma, and it is usually served sprinkled with caraway seeds and topped with sliced onions. Traditionally, this cheese is served either plain or as 'Hessen Handkäse mit Musik', seasoned with salt and pepper and marinated with onions in oil and vinegar, occasionally with some water or a dash of cider or wine added to the marinade.
Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage is a blue cheese made from a mix of warm, raw fresh milk and last evening's cow's milk, with a white moldy rind that may become orange due to yeast and bacteria. It has been produced in the French regions of Drôme and Isére since the 14th century.
Its name comes from the baron who authorized the sale of Bleu on his lands. The cheese must go through a maturation process for at least 30 days, when its buttery and creamy texture and sweet, mellow, subtle flavors, uncharacteristic for blue cheeses develop.
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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.
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Yorkshire Blue is a traditional blue cheese produced in North Yorkshire by Shepherds Purse. This semi-soft cheese is made from Yorkshire cow's milk and ages for 8 weeks. Underneath the natural rind, the texture is creamy and spreadable, with blue veining throughout the body.
The aromas are strong, while the flavors are mild, buttery, creamy, and sweet. It's recommended to use Yorkshire Blue in soups, sauces, and a variety of baked dishes.
Nøkkelost is a traditional semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. Also known as Kuminost, the cheese matures for 3 months and it's flavored with cumin, cloves, and caraway. It has a natural rind and a creamy texture, while the flavors are spicy, tangy, and nutty.
It is recommended to melt Nøkkelost over meat or potatoes and pair it with a glass of red wine on the side.
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Queso Nata de Cantabria is a hard cheese produced in the region of Cantabria and in the basins of the rivers Urdón and Cervera. It is made from unpasteurized milk of Friesian cows reared in the area. The cheese is aged for at least 7 days, and usually between 14 days and two months.
It is regularly turned and cleaned during the period of maturation. The flavor of Queso Nata de Cantabria is quite mild, with a nice balance of bitter and sweet. Its texture is firm, smooth, and buttery, which makes it melt in the mouth quite easily.
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Tomme fraîche is a hard-pressed curd that is made with cow’s milk. It is made in the production of Laguiole, Cantal, and Salers cheese. The curd is unsalted and slightly fermented, and because it’s hard-pressed, it has a high level of dry matter.
It is produced in the natural region of L’Aubrac, which is located in the central-south of Massif Central and is comprised of three departments - Aveyron, Lozère, and part of Auvergne. There are many types of tomme fraîche, but the most noted is the tomme fraîche de l'Aubrac.
Dating back to the 18th century, Fontainebleau is a French cheese originating from Ile-de-France. It is made with cow's milk and cream, and its texture is smooth, spreadable, and creamy. The flavor is light, mild, fresh, and milky, and the cheese can be served as a dessert or a cheese on its own.
Fontainebleau is traditionally sold in a gauze-lined container, and it is recommended to serve it with fresh fruit or berries.
Ädelost is a Swedish blue cheese that was originally created as an alternative to the imported French blue cheeses. The cheese is made from cow's milk and it ages for 8-12 weeks. It has a thin, pale rind that's dusted with specks of grey, white, and blue mold.
The interior is creamy in texture and pale in color, scattered with blue-grey pockets and broken veins. The flavors are sharp, spicy, salty, and tangy. Ädelost is usually crumbled over salads or used as a table cheese, but it can also be combined with balsamic vinegar and olive oil to create a piquant salad dressing.
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 “100 Worst Rated European Cow's Milk Cheeses” list until May 18, 2025, 26,261 ratings were recorded, of which 19,155 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.