Top 4 Czech Cheeses

Horský Statek Abertamy is a Czech eco-farm located in the heart of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), built around a vertically integrated model that combines livestock farming, dairy production, meat processing, retail, and hospitality. Founded in 1994 by Petr Zacharda, the farm was established with a strong focus on ecological agriculture, animal welfare, and the revival of regional food traditions.

Its production includes cheeses and dairy products made from cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk, alongside meat and charcuterie from animals raised on its own mountain pastures. The farm emphasizes natural production methods, with its meat products described as free from gluten, phosphates, and unnecessary preservatives.

Cheese production is a central part of its identity, with products made in its own creamery in Abertamy, including both fresh and aged cheeses inspired by the area’s historic cheesemaking heritage. Some of its products have received Czech regional food and organic food awards, reinforcing its reputation for quality.

Beyond food production, the business also operates bistros in Abertamy and Jindřichovice, where visitors can taste traditional Czech dishes prepared with ingredients from the farm’s own production. This direct farm-to-table approach makes Horský Statek Abertamy more than just a producer, positioning it as a destination for regional gastronomy as well.

Its overall concept reflects a modern interpretation of traditional mountain farming, combining authenticity, sustainability, and transparent food sourcing. Expand

Jihočeská Niva is a blue cheese made from cow's milk, produced in the South Bohemia region in the Czech Republic since 1951. It must weigh approximately 2,8 kilogrammes and has a washed rind with a semi-waxy finish and blue-green mould on the creamy to light-brown coloured exterior. On the interior, it is creamy white to pale yellow in colour with blue-green mouldy veins and marks from the needle pricking dispersed throughout the cheese. Its texture is crumbly and semi-soft while the taste is salty, intensely aromatic, sharp and pungent. For the best experience, pair it with black olives, whole grain crackers, celery, cucumbers, sliced pears or meat such as beef, ham and poultry and a glass of dessert wine.Expand

Olomoucké tvarůžky is a unique table cheese produced from fat-free sour curd in the Haná region in the Czech Republic. It has a savory, piquant flavor that develops during the ripening phase due to the influence of the microflora on its surface. Depending on the length of ripening, the scent can vary from slightly to intensely pungent. On the exterior, it is covered with a golden to orange colored smear, and looks waxy, like a honeycomb, while, on the interior, the texture is homogeneous, semi-soft to soft and slightly chewy. The cheese is shaped into short rolls, rings or sticks, each piece weighing about 20-30 grams. In the town of Loštice, where the cheese is produced, there is also a Museum of Olomoucké tvarůžky, where one can find probably the world's only tvarůžky-selling vending machine. Due to its high popularity, there is also a special cookbook dedicated exclusively to this unique stinky cheese.Expand

Jihočeská Zlatá Niva is a blue cheese made in the South Bohemia region in the Czech Republic from processed cow's milk from the region. Zlatá Niva is a round cheese with a washed rind with blue or green mould on the semi-waxy, creamy or light brown exterior. On the interior, the cheese is creamy white to pale yellow in colour with blue to green mould dispersed throughout the body, along with visible needle prickings due to the Penicillium roqueforti treatment. Its texture is pasty and lighter than that of its cousin, Jihočeská Niva. The flavour and scent are salty, aromatic, intense and pungent, characteristic of blue cheeses that have been cultured with Penicillium mould. The weigh of the final product is around 2,8 kilogrammes and is always sold in its original wheel-shape. Although it is not as popular as its cousin, Jihočeská Niva, the sales have held steady since 2004.Expand

Abertam is a traditional cheese originating from the area of Karlovy Vary. It is made from sheep’s milk and has a natural rind, firm texture, and pale yellow color. Its flavor can best be described as strong, tangy, and acidic. The cheese is typically shaped into irregular spheres, and it is then left to ripen for about two months. Despite its hard texture, abertam melts nicely, so it is often grilled or used in fondues. Due to its strong flavor, it is recommended to pair abertam with apples, sweet wines, and dark beer.Expand