Cheese is one of those foods that almost everyone loves. Its variety is so vast that you’ll find cheeses that are mild, strong, salty, sweet, fresh, aged, with mold or without. And the best part? Every country has its own style and tradition, making cheese a true world tour in every bite.
Want to discover the world’s most cheese-loving countries and their most iconic types? Let’s open the fridge and dive into this delicious journey.
🇫🇷 France: The Land of Characterful Cheeses
France boasts over 400 types of cheese. Each region has its specialty, and quality and origin are taken very seriously.
Some classics:
- Camembert: soft and creamy, with a white mold rind.
- Roquefort: a strong blue cheese made from sheep’s milk.
- Brie: mild and buttery, perfect for spreading.
- Comté: hard, sweet and salty, great for melting.
- Chèvre: a variety of goat cheeses, both fresh and aged.
🇮🇹 Italy: The Kingdom of Historic Cheeses
Italy is another cheese powerhouse, with cheeses at the heart of many iconic dishes.
Must-tries:
- Parmigiano Reggiano: the king of hard cheeses—aged, crumbly, and full of flavor.
- Mozzarella: fresh and elastic, perfect for salads and pizza.
- Gorgonzola: Italian blue cheese, milder than Roquefort.
- Ricotta: fresh and light, widely used in desserts and fillings.
- Pecorino Romano: a salty, aged sheep’s cheese.
🇨🇭 Switzerland: Precision… and Cheese!
Famous for mountain cheeses and enormous wheels.
Highlights:
- Emmental: big holes, mild flavor.
- Gruyère: no holes but lots of flavor—ideal for melting.
🇪🇸 Spain: Regional Variety in Every Bite
Spain has a rich cheese tradition, often less known outside the country.
Typical flavors:
- Manchego: firm sheep’s milk cheese with a deep, nutty flavor.
- Cabrales: strong, spicy blue cheese from Asturias.
- Tetilla: soft and creamy, cone-shaped cheese from Galicia.
- Idiazábal: smoked or natural sheep’s cheese from the Basque Country and Navarra.
- Mahonés: cow’s milk cheese from the island of Menorca.
- Torta del Casar: creamy sheep’s cheese from Extremadura, made for spreading.
🇬🇷 Greece: Mediterranean Flavor
Most famous:
- Feta: salty white cheese stored in brine—ideal for salads and warm dishes.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: The Big Round Ones
Dutch cheeses are smooth, buttery, and perfect for sandwiches.
Examples:
- Gouda: young or aged, slightly sweet and salty.
- Edam: round, mild, and coated in red wax.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Cheese Tradition with Hidden Gems
Less famous internationally, but full of amazing cheeses.
Favorites include:
- Cheddar: the world’s most exported cheese—firm and flavorful.
- Stilton: strong blue cheese with a nutty touch.
🇩🇪 Germany: Beyond Beer
Germany also has its own cheese traditions.
Examples:
- Allgäuer Bergkäse: aged, flavorful cheese from the Bavarian Alps.
- Harzer Käse: small, strong, and low-fat.
- Quark: fresh cheese between yogurt and cream cheese, often used in desserts.
🇺🇸 United States
Produces massive amounts of cheese, with local styles (like Monterey Jack) and versions of classic European types.
🇲🇽 Mexico
Known for fresh cheeses like panela, Oaxaca, and cotija, all essential in Mexican cooking.
🇦🇷 Argentina & 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Influenced by European immigrants, they produce cheeses like provolone, reggianito, and cremoso.
In Summary…
Cheese is much more than dairy—it’s culture, tradition, and flavor. Every country brings something unique to the cheese world, and exploring their varieties is a delicious adventure.
From French brie to Spanish manchego or British cheddar, there’s a cheese for every taste and moment. Which one is your favorite?