Matija Babić

Top 13 Cow's Milks
in the World

Last updated on June 10, 2026

Best Cow's Milks in the World

01

Urnäscher Milchspezialitäten

4.8 ·
Urnäscher Milchspezialitäten is a cheese producer located in Urnäsch, Switzerland. They specialize in producing a variety of dairy products, including traditional Swiss cheeses. The company utilizes milk from local farms to ensure the quality and authenticity of their products.
Awards
World Cheese Awards - Gold (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class (2016, 2014, 2012)
02

Klondike Cheese

4.8 ·
Klondike Cheese is a family-owned creamery from the heart of Wisconsin, led for generations by the Buholzer family. Their tradition blends artisanal dedication with modern technology, grounded in carefully selected milk from local farms and the highest quality standards. The result is a line of products distinguished by reliability, pure dairy flavor, and consistent texture. Their classic cheeses, such as Havarti, Gouda, Brick, and Muenster, stand out for their versatility and rich taste. Whether served on an elegant cheese board, incorporated into favorite dishes, or simply enjoyed melted, Klondike cheeses always deliver the perfect balance of tradition and modern flavor.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class (2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2010)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004)
03

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

4.5 ·
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company is located in Point Reyes Station, California, where it produces a variety of cheeses. The company is particularly known for its original blue cheese, which has received multiple awards. It was founded by the Giacomini family in 2000. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company operates with a focus on sustainable farming practices.
Awards
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best (2023)
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class (2024, 2022)
04

Central Valley Cheese

4.5 ·
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class (2024)
06

Lancashire Farm

4.5 ·
Awards
International Cheese & Dairy Awards - Gold (2024)
07

Manor Farm Dairy

4.5 ·
Awards
International Cheese & Dairy Awards - Gold (2024)
08

Fresh Delight Dairy

4.5 ·
Fresh Delight Dairy Co., Ltd., established in 1950, is a prominent Taiwanese dairy company renowned for its high-quality dairy products. The company offers a diverse range of products, including fresh milk, functional milk, yogurt, drinking yogurt, flavored milk, and cheese. Fresh Delight Dairy emphasizes the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and employs stringent quality control measures to ensure product excellence. Over the years, the company has built a strong reputation for its commitment to quality and innovation in the dairy industry.
Awards
Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars (2024)
09

Olympic Dairy

4.5 ·
Olympic Dairy is a Canadian company specializing in the production of dairy products, particularly known for its yogurts and cultured dairy items. Based in British Columbia, the company has a long tradition in the dairy industry, focusing on creating high-quality and delicious products rooted in traditional methods. Olympic Dairy is recognized for using carefully selected ingredients, emphasizing freshness and natural flavors. Their product range includes various types of yogurt, such as Greek yogurt, fruit yogurts, and other varieties, as well as sour cream and other dairy offerings. The company also stands out for offering products free from preservatives and artificial additives, making it a popular choice for consumers seeking healthier options.
Awards
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place (2024)
10

Old Hall Farm

4.3 ·
Old Hall Farm is a family-run microdairy dedicated to producing high-quality, raw A2 Jersey milk and dairy products through ethical and regenerative farming practices. Their cows are 100% pasture-fed, grazing on herbal leys and homegrown forage, and are allowed to keep their calves at foot for at least 6 to 12 months, promoting natural bonding and animal welfare. The farm's commitment to sustainability includes holistic management and agroecology principles to enhance biodiversity and soil health. Old Hall Farm offers a range of products, including raw milk, cultured butter, cream, ghee, ice cream, and soya-free eggs. Their approach exemplifies a harmonious blend of traditional values and innovative, eco-friendly agriculture.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 3 Stars (2023)
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2021)

Best Cow's Milk Types in the World

01

Heumilch

4 ·

The production of haymilk is the most primitive form of milk production that is adapted to the changing seasons. Austria's principal production areas are Tyrol, Salzburg, and Styria. Dairy cows spend their summer grazing on domestic pastures, where they can enjoy fresh air, clean water and plenty of various herbs and grasses. Even in winter, they are fed with the highest quality of nutrients, particularly sun-dried hay. The abundance of plants in this area is crucial for the exceptional quality and flavor of the milk, which is rich in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Used in the production of hard cheeses and chocolate, this high-quality raw milk delights with its refined and outstanding flavor.

02

Leche certificada de Granja

4.3 ·

Leche certificada de Granja is the certified farmhouse milk produced across Spain according to a strict set of rules and guidelines ensuring the best quality and characteristic properties. This milk is produced on small farms by pure-bred cows. To preserve its natural characteristics, this milk is minimally processed and is only pasteurized and immediately packaged on the farm. Leche certificada de Granja can also be sold raw because of the high hygienic standards that are kept on certified farms. Such milk has a higher nutritional value and more flavor than the milk produced conventionally.

03

Montasio fresco

n/a ·

Montasio fresco is a semi-hard, unpasteurized cow's milk cheese produced following traditional methods dating back to the 13th century. The cheese is aged for a minimum of 60 days (and up to 120), resulting in a delicate, creamy flavor with lactic notes reminiscent of fresh milk, yogurt, and cream. Its texture is compact and straw-colored, featuring a smooth rind. Montasio fresco pairs well with fruits like apples and grapes, and complements wines such as Sauvignon Blanc. It's also a key ingredient in traditional dishes like "frico," a cheese and potato pancake from the Friuli region.

04

Grand tomachon

n/a ·

Grand tomachon is a bloomy rind, cow's milk, press-drained cheese produced in Auvergne. Its roots lie in the dairying culture of the region where local producers shaped and aged semi-hard cheeses for local markets, and over time grand tomachon became distinguished for its relatively brief maturation and characteristic rind. In its manufacture whole or thermised cow’s milk is coagulated, the curd cut and placed into flat cylindrical moulds measuring roughly 32 cm (12 inches) in diameter and about 7 cm (3 inches) in height, then lightly pressed and drained, salted, and matured for around five to six weeks until the rind develops a grey, slightly “flowered” appearance and faint yellow spots signify readiness. The paste inside is semi-firm, shows scattered small eyes, and offers a lactic, mildly nutty profile with subtle cellar or undergrowth notes. Variants of grand tomachon involve differences in aging duration—short-aged wheels maintain firmer texture and fresher lactone notes while those aged at the upper limit of six weeks soften more and deepen in aroma—and some producers may alter the crust-rubbing process or the humidity during maturation to affect rind develop­ment and flavor intensity. A notable feature of this cheese lies in its size and rind type: much larger than typical tommes at around 6 kg (13 lb) and bearing a grey bloomy rind rather than a washed or waxed coating, giving it its distinctive look and profile. Grand tomachon is best enjoyed at room temperature on a cheese board or as part of a meal, served with country bread and fresh fruit or raw vegetables, and pairs well with a crisp white wine such as a regional Chardonnay or an AOC red like Saint-Pourçain, both of which can complement its smooth texture and gentle flavor.

05

Jersey milk

n/a ·

Jersey milk is the rich, creamy milk produced by Jersey cattle, a heritage breed originally from the island of Jersey in the English Channel. Revered for its naturally high butterfat content, Jersey milk stands apart from standard cow’s milk in both taste and texture, offering a deeper flavor, greater nutritional value, and a natural golden hue. One of the defining characteristics of Jersey milk is its richness: it typically contains over 5% butterfat and higher levels of protein compared to milk from other dairy breeds. This makes it especially prized for producing premium dairy products, including butter, cream, and artisanal cheeses. Its velvety mouthfeel and subtle natural sweetness have earned it a loyal following among chefs, artisan producers, and milk enthusiasts alike. Beyond its culinary appeal, Jersey milk is also valued for its digestibility. It often contains a higher proportion of the A2 beta-casein protein, which some believe is easier to digest compared to the A1 proteins found in most standard milk. Though not exclusive to Jersey cows, this characteristic has further contributed to its growing popularity.

06

Ländle rheintaler

n/a ·

Ländle rheintaler is a semi-hard cheese made with cow's milk. It is firm, smooth, melts, and a bit spicy. The cheese typically ages about four months and comes in 8 kilos (17.6 lbs) wheels. It is often enjoyed as part of a cheese platter, in cooking, or simply on its own. The cheese's production follows traditional methods, ensuring a high-quality product that reflects the culinary heritage of the region.

About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 13 Cow's Milks in the World” list until June 10, 2026, 55 ratings were recorded, of which 42 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

The initial list of top producers was compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews. The list will be updated with ratings from TasteAtlas local ambassadors and TasteAtlas users.

Similar lists