Not to be cheesy but no matter the colour, texture, or level of maturity, there’s a special place for every type of cheese in our hearts (and stomachs)! Whether they’re soft and smooth or hard with holes, cheese can either be the perfect snack, the foundation of a party platter, or the star ingredient of a delicious dish.
If you love cheese as much as we do, stick around for the ultimate guide to the top varieties from around the world! That’s right; Expat Explore has compiled a list of each continent’s top cheeses, so get comfortable and get ready for a slice of the cheesy life!
Take a look at the world’s best cheeses by continent:
Europe
We couldn’t start the list of the world’s top cheeses anywhere other than Europe! As it is believed that Europe was the first place where cheese appeared, and where the most number of varieties have been created since, it’s no wonder they know their way around some delicious cheesy creations!
Cambozola
Country: Germany
Germany brings us a delicious variety that can be described as the perfect marriage of French triple-cream cheese and Italian gorgonzola. Don’t be fooled by the softness; while it’s almost creamy enough to spread, it still has a strong and rich taste similar to blue cheese.
Related: Try Cambozola in the top places to visit in Germany!
Taleggio
Country: Italy
Italy offers up a truly spectacular cheese called Taleggio, which is not entirely unlike Gruyere. Taleggio is known for the red smear rind that gives it a unique taste and appearance. By washing the rind during the ageing process, it develops its indulgently rich yet palatable flavour.
Manchego
Country: Spain
This semi-hard cheese from Spain is known for its distinct rind and noticeably sweet flavour. Made from sheep’s milk, Manchego is aged for up to two years to perfect the compact and buttery consistency with irregular air bubbles interspersed.
Related: Take a look at even more delicious foods to try in Spain!
Brie
Country: France
Originating in its namesake region of France, Brie is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk with an iconic edible rind. The centre is creamy and indulgent while the mouldy rind is firm but soft enough to eat. Enjoy its delicate and buttery flavour on any occasion!
Related: Order le fromage in France with the help of our top French travel phrases!
Feta
Country: Greece
Greece is known for many things, one of which is a cheese that’s known and favoured around the globe – Feta! As it’s considered one of the oldest cheeses in the world, Feta has spent some time being perfected. Try this low-lactose, brined white cheese crumbled into a Greek salad for a refreshing and filling meal!
Related: Discover more of the must-try dishes in Greece for a mouthwatering experience!
Gouda
Country: The Netherlands
The Netherlands is home to arguably the most popular cheese in the world – Gouda! This matured yellow favourite has rich caramel notes, sharp flavour and a dense consistency thanks to the prolonged ripening process.
Related: Enjoy a traditional cheese and clogs demonstration on our Europe Highlights tour!
Africa & Middle East
With some of the earliest known cheeses traced back to Egypt, it should come as no surprise that Africa also offers a variety of different cheeses. The dairying process differed greatly in ancient Africa, with extra salt required for preservation, so the cheeses that resulted were very different from European varieties.
Roumy and Areesh
Country: Egypt
Roumy had its start in ancient Egypt and is made from full cream cow’s milk, or on occasion a blend of cow and buffalo milk. This slightly sharp and salty cheese is the perfect accompaniment to tomato and cucumber on pita for a classic Egyptian meal!
Areesh is another great variety brought to us by Egypt, except this one is on the softer side. Areesh has a creamy, spreadable texture, similar to cottage cheese. However, it’s a lot more spongy and dry while also being less salty.
Related: Get acquainted with what to expect in Egypt when you visit!
Bouhezza
Country: Algeria
Traditional Bouhezza from Algeria is a fermented and soft-ripened cheese made with raw goat’s or sheep’s milk, however, cow’s milk is often used today. The soft, spreadable texture paired with the blend of salty, acidic and spicy flavours makes for a truly delicious treat!
Blue Rock Cheese
Country: South Africa
South Africa might be more known for its wines than cheeses, but pairings are popular in this destination, so cheese production becomes essential! Blue Rock is a soft, creamy white cheese often made of high-fat Jersey milk. The name derives from the blue veining throughout this Roquefort-style cheese.
Related: Explore South Africa’s top tastes, smells and sights!
Kaşar Peynir
Country: Turkey
Kaşar Peynir from Turkey is a semi-hard yellow cheese that’s become a Turkish breakfast staple! It can either be served while it’s still young, giving it a sweeter flavour, or aged for the perfectly tangy taste.
Australia
Australia might not be world-renowned for its dairy consumption or production, however, Australians sure know how to appreciate some old, smelly cheeses! Take a look at the cheesy favourites from down under.
4-Year Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar is typically only aged for a few months or in some cases a year for extra pungent notes. But the Australians have an appetite for something even more tangy – cheddar aged for a full four years!
Riverine Blue
Sure, blue cheese is an acquired taste. But Australians have acquired it and perfected it as well. Riverine Blue is made from the highest-quality buffalo milk with blue flecks of mould beautifully and evenly distributed for a deliciously rich and fatty bite every time.
Aged La Dame
Sticking with the theme of pungent, overaged cheeses, aged La Dame is another favourite in Australia. This semi-hard goat’s milk cheese with a natural rind has a complex character, a flakey texture, and a perfectly balanced salty-sweet flavour!
Asia
While Asia isn’t necessarily known for its cheese production or even consumption for that matter, the continent still has a long history of cheese and a few exclusive variations to try out.
Dangke
Country: Indonesia
Traditional Dangke from Indonesia is a straightforward fermented cheese made from buffalo’s or cow’s milk or a mixture of both. This simple, semi-soft ingredient can be described as somewhere between soft cheese and tofu.
Rubing C
Country: China
China brings us an interesting alternative to Halloumi in the form of Rubing, a firm fresh cheese made from goat’s milk. It is often served fried and accompanied by dips, thanks to its non-melting consistency.
Paneer
Country: India
India offers us a fresh acid-set cheese called Paneer, popular in local cuisine and around the world. This full-fat, non-melting cheese is made from buffalo milk by curdling the milk with vegetable-derived acids as opposed to ageing it.
North & South America
The Americas bring us a wide variety of cheeses, from yellow and gooey to light and elegant. Take a look at the top cheeses from North America and South America!
Muenster and Colby-Jack Cheese
Country: USA
Contrary to what the name suggests, Muenster originated in the United States of America, albeit believed that it was meant to imitate Munster from France. This semi-soft mild cheese with an orange rind is perfect for melting, making it a popular choice on the classic American grilled cheese sandwich.
Colby-Jack, a popular semi-hard American cheese made from pasteurised cow’s milk, is actually a combination of Colby and Monterey Jack. The two-week ageing process gives it a mild flavour, while its two cheese parents give Colby-Jack its signature marbled appearance.
Related: Try grilled cheese and other classic American foods for yourself!
Chanco
Country: Chile
Chanco is a semi-hard yellow cheese known for its firm texture and smooth consistency. Made with cow’s milk and ripened, Chanco has a mild flavour that’s comparable to American Muenster, except with reduced lactose. This Chilean staple is so popular that it accounts for half the country’s cheese consumption.
Sardo
Country: Argentina
Argentina brings us a hard grating cheese called Sardo, made with cow’s milk and beloved for its sharp, salty flavour. While it’s hard enough to grate, the texture can be described as occupying the intersection between smooth and crumbly.
Related: Get a sense of what to expect in Latin America when you visit to try their cheese!
Antarctica
The last spot on our list is reserved to give Antarctica an honourable mention. While the climate foils any plans of producing their own, residents and explorers deserve a cheese-loving medal for their determination to enjoy the world’s most beloved dairy product.
Not only will some go to great lengths to get their hands on some delicious cheese, but they’ve also discovered that some types of cheese freeze better than others. For this reason, Antarctica’s most popular cheeses are those with the least moisture – Cheddar, low-moisture Mozzarella, and Provolone!
There you have it, dairy munsters! We hope this guide to the world’s best, unique, and most-consumed cheeses has sharpened your appetite and inspired you to see the world, one delicious bite at a time!
Related: Cheese and wine, anyone? Discover the top wine regions of the world next!
If you want to explore more of the world’s favourite foods, and make lasting memories while you’re at it, book a trip with Expat Explore! Our single and multi-country guided coach tours are designed to give you the ultimate taste of the top travel destinations around the globe.