Top 100 Cow's Milk Cheeses
in the World

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. It can be sliced and served as an appetizer, fried and eaten as a snack, or grated over pasta. Expand

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. Today, the cheese goes by the unofficial Parmigiano, which is because Parma started promoting this cheese as coming from Parma when it became the capital of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza in the 16th century. Today, it is produced in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna in Emilia-Romagna, as well as in the Lombardian province of Mantua. Parmigiano is available in following varieties: Mezzano (2nd selection, aged for 12-15 months), Parmigiano Reggiano (aged for 12-24 months or longer) and Parmigiano Reggiano Extra, which needs to pass an additional quality assessment test after 18 months of aging. This particularly versatile cheese is one of the essential ingredients used in a number of classic Italian dishes; it is ideal for grating over pasta, minestrone and consommé, but it can also be enjoyed as a table cheese, typically served with crudités, salads and fresh fruit or nuts.Expand

Burrata, literary meaning buttered, is an artisan cheese from the Puglia region of Southern Italy, especially the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. The cheese is made by hand with cow's milk, rennet, and cream. It is believed that the cheese was created by Lorenzo Bianchino Chieppa, a cheesemaker who had an idea to form a shell of stretched mozzarella strings and fill it with luscious, rich cream and smaller, leftover pieces of mozzarella. The result was a true delicacy with the creamiest interior and a rich flavor of fresh milk, which very quickly became extremely popular. Burrata should be eaten as fresh as possible - ideally within 24 hours of being made. It can be served alone, seasoned only with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, but it is also delicious when accompanied by fresh tomatoes and prosciutto crudo, or when used as a topping for pizzas or bruschettas.Expand

Saint-Félicien is a soft French cheese originating from the region of Rhône-Alpes. The cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a creamy texture, while its flavor can be described as fruity, sour, nutty, and buttery. During the aging process, it develops a bloomy rind with a strong mushroomy aroma which does not really match the flavors of the cheese. Due to its fragile nature, this cheese often comes packaged in small terracotta pots. It is recommended to pair it with crusty baguettes, olives, or a glass of red wine.Expand

Metsovone is a hard or semi-hard smoked table cheese, produced from cow's milk or alternatively with a mixture of cow's milk with up to 20% sheep’s or goat’s milk. It has been made in the Metsovo mountain region for more than 50 years from locally reared animals' milk. During the manufacturing, it is put in cylindrical molds that are placed in cold water to make the cheese more compact and afterwards placed in pickle. After the drying, the maturation lasts, at least, three months. Finally, it is smoked for a couple of days. It has a textured paste and a slightly yellow rind. The taste is rich, slightly salty and spicy, with a dried fruit aftertaste. It can be enjoyed both raw and cooked and is a regular ingredient in quiches or pizzas. It is an excellent appetizer to serve with a glass of ouzo or wine.Expand

Often called the heavenly cheese, St. André is a French triple-crème cheese made from cow’s milk. It originated from Coutances in the region of Normandy. Underneath its bloomy edible rind, there is a dense, creamy-textured body with mild and rich aromas and flavors which can best be described as sour, tangy, buttery, and salty. Because it is enhanced with the addition of heavy cream, its fat content is quite high - typically 75%. It is recommended to pair it with crusty bread, pear slices, or a glass of light and fruity rosé.Expand

Modeled on the Swiss and French tradition of cheese production, livanjski sir was first produced in 1886, and it was initially made only with sheep’s milk. Later on, the production changed, and while many industrially produced types nowadays employ only cow’s milk, there are a few local, family-owned businesses which use a combination of sheep’s and cow’s milk. This hard cheese usually ripens from sixty up to eighty days, and preferably more. Depending on the aging, the final product ranges from pale to dark yellow, while its texture remains hard, yet elastic, with evenly distributed, medium-sized eyes. Because of its strong flavors and pleasant, nutty aromas, the cheese is best enjoyed as an appetizer, usually paired with smoked meat and robust Herzegovinian wine.Expand

Originally known as Excelsior, Délice des Gourmets, or Le Magnum, this triple-cream cheese was first produced in the late 1800s near Forges-les-Eaux, Normandy. In the 1930s, to pay homage to an 18th-century gourmet Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, the famous French cheesemaker Henri Androuët renamed the cheese to Brillat-Savarin. Available year round throughout Normandy and Burgundy, Brillat-Savarin is a soft, white-crusted cow's milk cheese with at least 75% butterfat, and an edible snowy rind. It is luscious, creamy, and neutral to faintly sour when fresh, but it can develop pronounced earthy flavors with longer aging. Like any other triple-crème cheese, Brillat-Savarin is best enjoyed with sparkling wines, and for a nice fruity twist, try pairing it with fresh berries.Expand

Canastra is a Brazilian cheese made from raw cow’s milk. It originates from the area of Serra da Canastra in the state of Minas Gerais, hence the name. The cylindrical cheese is either semi-hard or slightly softer, and its flavor is mildly acidic and slightly spicy. Traditionally, Canastra matures for 21 days, but some producers leave it to mature even longer, up to 40 days, when its flavor resembles that of Grana Padano. In the past, the cheese was made for special occasions such as visits from royalty and captains. It is recommended to pair it with red wine, dark beer, and guava paste. In 2008, this cheese was proclaimed an intangible cultural heritage of Brazil.Expand

Traditionally associated with the region of Silesia, gołka is a smoked Polish cheese that is exclusively made with cow’s milk. It is characterized by its light yellow color, and before it is smoked, it is placed in carved wooden molds that form its typical cylindrical shape and provide a decorative pattern on the rind. With its delicate taste, smoky flavor, and soft texture, gołka is best paired with fruit preserves and bread.Expand

Fromagerie Berthaut is a renowned and respected French dairy company specializing in the production of high-quality cheeses, with a particular emphasis on tradition. The company is located in the heart of Burgundy, a region famous for its rich culinary traditions and delicacies, particularly its cheese production. Founded in 1956 by Robert and Simone Berthaut, the company dedicated itself to reviving and producing traditional cheeses from Burgundy, including the legendary Époisses. Today, Fromagerie Berthaut has earned a reputation as one of the most important cheese producers in France, known for preserving tradition and maintaining high-quality standards. The company continues to use milk from local farms, supporting regional agriculture and contributing to sustainability. Given the increasing demand for authentic, artisanal products, Fromagerie Berthaut has significantly expanded its market in recent decades, both in France and internationally. The company has become a key player in the cheese industry, with a strong focus on preserving French dairy traditions.Expand

Grana d’Oro is a family-run dairy from Cavriago, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, dedicated for generations to producing Parmigiano Reggiano from the milk of the rare and native Rossa Reggiana cows. At a time when many abandoned this breed for higher-yielding alternatives, the Catellani family remained committed to its preservation, recognizing its unique value and the exceptional quality of its milk. Their Parmigiano Reggiano carries the soul of the land – a rich, layered flavor and aroma born from cows grazing on the polyculture meadows typical of the Val d’Enza valley. Each wheel of cheese is a blend of nature, tradition, and devoted craftsmanship, proving that true quality comes from patience and respect for both the land and the animals. Grana d’Oro is not just a cheese producer, but a guardian of Emilia-Romagna’s cultural and gastronomic heritage.Expand

Uplands Cheese located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is renowned for its artisanal cheese production, particularly the Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Rush Creek Reserve. The company operates on a dairy farm that has been milking cows for over a century. The farm is uniquely situated on Pleasant Ridge in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, which is ideal for the diverse range of grasses that contribute to the high-quality milk produced by their cows. The farm is managed with a focus on sustainable, seasonal, and pasture-based systems. This approach includes rotational grazing, which ensures fresh pasture for the cows daily, contributing to the exceptional flavors of their milk. The company's commitment to traditional cheesemaking methods, combined with innovative approaches to enhance the unique flavors of their farm, has established Uplands Cheese as a leading example of artisanal cheesemaking in the U.S..Expand

Fromagerie André is a family-owned Swiss cheese dairy with a long tradition dating back to 1919, based in Romanel-sur-Morges in the canton of Vaud. Across several generations, the André family has developed a distinctive artisanal approach to cheesemaking, relying on locally sourced milk and a strong connection to the region’s terroir. The dairy is particularly known for producing protected-designation cheeses such as Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP, as well as various tomme-style cheeses and specialty varieties with added flavors. Production combines traditional methods with modern quality standards, with careful attention to natural ingredients and controlled aging. Today, it is regarded as a respected representative of Swiss artisanal cheesemaking, valued for its consistency, family heritage, and commitment to regional quality.Expand

Montgomery’s Cheese is a family-run artisan cheesemaker based in South Somerset, England, renowned for its traditional farmhouse Cheddar produced at the North Cadbury farm, where cheesemaking has been carried on for three generations. The cheese is handmade using raw cow’s milk from the family’s own herd, following time-honoured methods that include cloth binding and maturation on wooden shelves for a minimum of 12 months. This process results in a deep, rich and nutty flavour profile that has become widely recognised in the UK and beyond. Longer ageing, as in the Extra Mature versions, further enhances complexity, developing a firmer texture and introducing subtle spicy and savoury notes. Montgomery’s Cheddar is hard, dense and slightly crumbly, with layered aromas ranging from sweet, milky tones to pronounced nutty and grassy nuances, and occasional natural blue veining that adds further character. The Montgomery family has preserved this cheesemaking tradition since the early 20th century, remaining faithful to historic methods that allowed this distinctive style to survive even as much of the industry shifted toward industrial production.Expand

Bruny Island Cheese is a cheese producer located on Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia. The company, established by Nick Haddow, focuses on traditionally-made cheeses from both cow's and goat's milk. They are noted for being one of the few producers in Australia using raw milk as well as pasteurized milk for their cheeses. The company also operates a bakery that produces wood-fired bread.Expand

Fromagerie du Buron is a family-owned dairy located in Cournon-d'Auvergne, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Established in 1904 by Jean Duchêne, it specializes in the aging of traditional cheeses from Auvergne, particularly Saint-Nectaire AOP. Currently, the third generation of the Duchêne family, led by Pierre Duchêne, continues this tradition, combining centuries-old expertise with modern techniques. In addition to aging Saint-Nectaire, Fromagerie du Buron produces other authentic cheeses, including Grand Murols and its variations such as Buronnoix, a cheese aged in walnut liqueur, which has won medals at the General Agricultural Competition. The Duchêne family's dedication to preserving traditional production methods and collaborating with local producers ensures the authenticity and exceptional quality of their cheeses. Expand

Fromagerie L'Amuse is a renowned and respected cheese shop based in the Netherlands, with locations in Amsterdam and IJmuiden. L'Amuse was founded in 1989 by Betty Koster, a top cheese expert, specialist, and educator. Over the years, L'Amuse has built a reputation as one of the leading destinations for fine cheeses in the Netherlands. The shop specializes in Dutch cheeses as well as carefully selected international varieties. L'Amuse offers a wide range of cheeses, including both hard and soft cheeses, goat's and cow's milk cheeses, as well as some rare and exotic types. L'Amuse also offers professional cheese tastings, where participants can learn about different types of cheeses, their history, production methods, and how to pair them with wines and other accompaniments. Fromagerie L'Amuse is not just a cheese shop but a true destination for cheese lovers of all kinds. With a passionate approach to quality, education, and innovation, L'Amuse has earned a reputation as one of the most important places in the Netherlands for cheese tasting and purchasing.Expand

Cooperativa La Poiana is an agricultural cooperative founded in 1982 in the Valle Grana area, province of Cuneo, with the aim of preserving and promoting the traditional production of mountain cheeses, especially Castelmagno DOP. It was established at a time when organized protection was needed to safeguard local producers and the knowledge surrounding one of Italy’s most historic and prestigious cheeses. The cooperative brings together small farmers and cheesemakers from alpine villages, using milk sourced exclusively from local herds grazing on high-altitude pastures rich in native flora. Production is based on traditional methods, supported by carefully controlled modern hygiene and quality standards. A distinctive feature of La Poiana is the aging of cheeses in natural stone cellars and caves, which contributes to their complex aromas and marked mineral character. The core of its production is Castelmagno DOP, alongside other traditional Piedmont cheeses made from cow’s, sheep’s, or mixed milk. The cooperative plays an important role in preserving the rural identity and economic vitality of the Valle Grana communities. Beyond production, it is actively involved in education, gastronomic promotion, and creating direct links between producers and the market. Its philosophy is built on transparency of origin, traceability, and respect for seasonality. Today, La Poiana is regarded as one of the key guardians of Piedmontese cheesemaking heritage. Its products are available through selected specialty shops, gastronomy channels, and distributors in Italy and abroad.Expand

Pinzgau Milch is an Austrian dairy company based in Maishofen in the Pinzgau region, bringing together numerous mountain farms and processing milk sourced from Alpine pastures. The raw milk comes from cows fed primarily on grass and hay from high-altitude meadows, which contributes to the clean, full-bodied character of its dairy products. The company originated from local dairy cooperatives established in the 1930s and has since developed into a modern processing facility that combines traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology. Its portfolio includes fresh milk, yogurt, butter, cream, and a broad range of cheeses, particularly Alpine semi-hard and hard varieties. Products made from hay-fed and organically certified milk play an important role within the assortment, reflecting Austrian quality standards. Beyond classic dairy lines, Pinzgau Milch also produces milk-based beverages, protein drinks, iced coffee, and specialized nutritional formulas, expanding its presence beyond conventional dairy segments. A significant share of production is exported, underlining its stable position in international markets. The company operates in accordance with strict food safety and environmental management standards, including responsible energy use and packaging practices. Close cooperation with regional farmers ensures traceability and consistent quality from farm to finished product. Pinzgau Milch represents a model in which mountain agriculture and modern dairy processing are integrated into a sustainable and competitive system.Expand