Top 100 Italian Cow's Milk Cheeses

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

First produced in the 11th century by the Cistercian monks of the Santa Maria di Rovegnano Abbey in Chiaravalle Milanese, Grana Padano is known as one of the very few parmesan cheeses that can possibly compete with the far more famous Parmigiano-Reggiano. This hard cheese is made from unpasteurized, semi-skimmed cow’s milk and it is available in these varieties: Grana Padano, Trentin Grana, and Grana Grattugiato. It is sold at different ripening stages: Grana Padano (9-16 months), Grana Padano Oltre 16 mesi (over 16 months) and Grana Padano Riserva (over 20 months). Today, Grana Padano can be found throughout the Po Valley, namely in the regions of Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Emilia Romagna. As the cheese ages, the flavors become more pronounced, savory, and complex, while the texture becomes even more grainy and crumbly. It can be enjoyed either as a table cheese or it can be grated over a wide array of dishes, and while the younger versions are typically paired with white wines, Grana Padano Riserva goes hand in hand with full-bodied red wines. Regarding food pairings, Grana Padano 9-16 months should be paired with apricots and black tea, Grana Padano Oltre goes well with strawberries and pepper, while the Riserva variety tastes exceptionally well when served with pears and Madagascar vanilla. The final grading and branding of the cheeses that have passed the tests for aroma, appearance, and texture is done by the Consorzio di Tutela del Formaggio Grana Padano DOP, established in 1954. The Consorzio also protects the cheese from imitations and promotes it around the world.Expand

Made from cow's milk, in particular, mozzarella and cream, Burrata di Andria is popularly known as 'the queen of cheeses'. It originates from Apulia, namely the town of Andria, and although Burrata has been produced only since 1950s, it has already become an Italian classic, despite its relatively short history. The outer shell of this fresh cheese is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving this masterfully created delicacy an unusual, soft texture. Burrata has a delicate yet rich flavor of fresh milk and it is most often served seasoned with just salt, pepper and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil but it also pairs beautifully with bruschettas topped with prosciutto, figs, tomatoes and various fresh vegetables.Expand

Stracciata is an artisan Italian cheese produced in Molise. It is made from cow's milk. The curd is cut or torn, and it is then stretched into ribbons that can be folded or braided. Although stracciata is usually snow-white, in spring and summer it develops a yellowish hue. On the outside, it is buttery, mild, sweet, fresh, and slightly salty, while the inside is milky and piquant. The cheese melts in the mouth easily, leaving notes of warm melted butter on the palate. The name stracciata is derived from the verb stracciare, meaning to tear. It is recommended to eat stracciata with prosciutto, olive oil, and crusty bread.Expand

Mozzarella is a fresh, soft, stretched curd cheese, made with whole cow's milk. Due to the fact that it has a fragrant aroma of fresh milk and a delicate creamy flavor, mozzarella is traditionally paired with light white wines. This Italian classic originates from the region of Campania, but nowadays it is produced all across the country. The cheese is made with water buffalo's milk or cow's milk, when it's often referred to as mozzarella fior di latte (in order to distinguish it from water buffalo milk mozzarella). The ancient tradition of making mozzarella cheese dates back to the 4th century BCE, however, the first official reference to its name was found in a 1570 cookery book by Bartolomeo Scappi, a famous Renaissance chef. It is an excellent table cheese used for preparing a number of different dishes and the essential ingredient of the caprese salad and the famous pizza napoletana.Expand

Gorgonzola dolce is a traditional variety of Gorgonzola cheese. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's left to age for at least 45 days before consumption. Underneath its natural moldy rind, the texture is creamy, with blue veins running throughout the paste. The aromas are mild and milky, while the flavors are creamy, mild, sweet, and buttery, unlike the Gorgonzola piccante cheese. It's recommended to pair Gorgonzola dolce with Vin Santo or Champagne.Expand

Gorgonzola piccante is a traditional variety of Gorgonzola blue cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. Underneath its natural moldy rind, the texture is crumbly and compact, with blue veins running throughout the paste. The aromas are spicy and pungent, while the flavors are sharp, strong, intense, and creamy, unlike the Gorgonzola dolce version. This piquant cheese is usually left to age for a minimum of 80 days. It's recommended to pair gorgonzola piccante with rum, port, or mead.Expand

Ciliegine is a traditional type of mozzarella cheese. It consists of small and smooth white balls of mozzarella that's made with pasteurized cow's milk, or sometimes with water buffalo's milk. Ciliegine are just a bit smaller than bocconcini, another type of mozzarella balls that can often be used interchangeably with ciliegine. The texture is soft, spongy, and elastic, while the flavors are mild, delicate, fresh, and milky. These small mozzarella balls are typically sold in their own brine and used in various salads and appetizers. The name ciliegine is derived from the Italian word for cherry, referring to the size of the cheese.Expand

Produced since the 1700s by the shepherds who lived on the Lattari Mountains, the largest milk production area around Naples and Vico Equense, Provolone del Monaco is a melon-shaped, semi-hard cheese made from raw cow’s milk. Since the shepherds of Lattari used to wear long, hooded cowls, it was believed that Provolone was produced by monks, hence its name. With at least 20% of milk for the cheese production coming from the endangered Agerolese dairy cattle breed, Provolone del Monaco is characterized by the exceptional quality of its spun paste. It has a sweet and buttery flavor, with a pleasantly piquant aftertaste that becomes stronger with aging. Provolone is used as one of the basic ingredients of Neapolitan cuisine, but it also makes for an excellent table cheese that's typically paired with aged red wines.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

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

Caseificio Di Nucci is a family-run dairy based in Agnone, in the Molise region of Italy, dedicated to the production of traditional cheeses for over ten generations. Their cheesemaking process is rooted in the use of raw cow's milk and traditional artisanal methods, without the use of additives or preservatives, ensuring the authenticity and quality of their products. Di Nucci cheeses have earned recognition not only among consumers but also at international competitions. They have received numerous awards at prestigious events such as the World Cheese Awards, where their products have repeatedly won medals for excellence. The dairy also offers guided tours of its production facilities, educational experiences focused on traditional cheesemaking, and tastings that allow visitors to fully appreciate the rich flavors and history behind each cheese.Expand

Caseificio Artigiana is a renowned dairy located in Putignano, in the heart of Italy’s Apulia region, founded in 2001 by Francesco D’Ambruoso. Since then, it has become synonymous with high-quality dairy products that blend traditional methods with a modern approach to quality and sustainability. Their products are crafted through careful hand-shaping and traditional techniques such as filatura (curd stretching), resulting in exceptional quality and flavor. The dairy combines artisanal craftsmanship with advanced hygiene and quality control standards. Each step of the production process is carried out with great attention to detail, ensuring freshness and authenticity. Artigiana sources its milk from trusted local farms, supporting the regional economy and maintaining a short supply chain. Their range includes award-winning cheeses such as burrata, stracciatella, and caciocavallo silano. By uniting tradition with innovation, Caseificio Artigiana honors the rich culinary heritage of Apulia. Every product reflects the dedication to preserving genuine taste and texture. Their name has become a symbol of Italian excellence in the world of artisanal cheese.Expand

La Casearia Carpenedo is a cheese producer based in Italy, known for its innovative approach to affinage, the process of aging cheeses. The company collaborates with affineur Antonio Carpenedo, who brings traditional techniques and creative flair to cheese aging, including infusing cheeses with wine and other local products. Among their notable creations is the Ubriaco cheese, which is aged with the remains of wine grapes after pressing.Expand

Luigi Guffanti 1876 is a renowned Italian cheese company based in Arona, in the Piedmont region, known for its multi-generational expertise in aging and refining cheeses. Founded in 1876 by Luigi Guffanti, the company began its journey by aging Gorgonzola in an abandoned silver mine in Valganna, taking advantage of its consistent temperature and humidity conditions for optimal cheese maturation. Over time, the expertise gained in aging Gorgonzola expanded to include a wide variety of other cheeses. Luigi Guffanti 1876 offers an extensive selection of cheeses, including those made from cow’s, sheep’s, goat’s, and buffalo’s milk, as well as blended varieties. The company also welcomes visitors to its aging cellars in Arona, where guests can experience the cheese aging process firsthand and enjoy guided tastings of their artisanal products.Expand

Caseificio San Rocco is an Italian cheese producer located in the region of Veneto. The company specializes in crafting artisan cheeses using traditional methods passed down through generations. They produce a variety of cheeses, including Asiago and Montasio, both of which are recognized with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. The company emphasizes the use of high-quality local milk and seasonal production techniques. San Rocco products are available in both domestic and international markets.Expand

Lattebusche is a well-known Italian dairy cooperative based in the town of Busche (municipality of Cesiomaggiore) in the province of Belluno. Founded in 1954 as a local milk processing cooperative, it is now considered one of the leading dairy producers in northern Italy. The cooperative operates several production facilities, including dairies in Busche, Sandrigo, Resana, and Chiusa di Pesio, where a wide variety of cheeses, butter, milk, and other dairy products are made, mostly from milk supplied by local farmers. Lattebusche places strong emphasis on the quality of raw materials, product traceability, and sustainable practices in agriculture and milk processing. Its products often carry DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) certifications, which guarantee the authenticity of origin and traditional production methods.Expand

Latteria Moro Di Moro Sergio is a cheese producer located in Italy. They specialize in producing traditional Italian cheeses.Expand