Top 5 Canadian Hard Cheeses

Fromagerie du Presbytère is an artisanal cheese producer located in Sainte-Élizabeth-de-Warwick, in the province of Québec, Canada, founded in 2005 in a restored former presbytery. It was established as a family project by the Morin family, who also operate their own dairy farm, ensuring full control over the quality and origin of the milk used in production. The creamery is known for its wide range of cheeses, spanning soft, blue, semi-hard, and long-aged styles, including well-known creations such as Louis d’Or, Bleu d’Élizabeth, Le Religieuse, Le Champayeur, and Treizième Apôtre. Production combines traditional cheesemaking techniques with modern expertise, with a strong focus on expressing local terroir and the character of the farm’s milk. Many of their cheeses have received national and international awards, contributing to the reputation of Fromagerie du Presbytère as one of Canada’s most respected artisanal cheesemakers. Today, the dairy stands as a model of how family heritage, innovation, and regional identity can come together to create cheeses with strong personality and consistent quality.Expand

Glengarry Cheesemaking, based in Lancaster, Ontario, specializes in producing fine artisanal cheeses. The company, which has obtained several awards, offers a range of products including the famous Lankaaster cheese - a gouda-style cheese aged to different maturity levels. They provide cheesemaking supplies and host educational workshops on cheese production.Expand

Allegretto is a Canadian cheese produced in La Sarre, Québec. The climate in the Abitibi region results in pastures which have a higher sugar content, and that is the reason for sweeter milk from the sheep. That milk is used to produce this firm cheese with a fresh and clean aroma. The sheep's milk is thermalized, and the cheese is pressed and aged for at least 120 days. Underneath its natural rind, Allegretto hides a creamy texture and nutty, slightly tangy, fruity, mellow, and sweet flavors. It is recommended to grate this cheese over pasta or use it in grilled cheese sandwiches prepared with sourdough bread.Expand

Friulano is a Canadian cheese made from cow's milk. It's named after the region of Friuli in Italy, and resembles the famous Italian Montasio cheese. This Canadian cheese is covered with a natural rind that's light yellow in color. Its flavors are mild, milky, and slightly sweet, but they become more nutty and sharp with age. It's recommended to use Friulano as a table cheese or in sandwiches, sauces, and a variety of pasta dishes.Expand

Kabritt is a Canadian tomme-style cheese hailing from British Columbia, where it's produced by The Farm House Natural Cheeses. The cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and it's usually left to age from 6 months up to a year. Underneath its natural orange-tinted rind, the texture is dense and buttery. The aromas are rich and earthy, while the flavors are salty, buttery, and tangy, and the cheese melts in the mouth. The name of the cheese is the Haitian Creole word for goat.Expand

Pacific Rock is a Canadian cheese hailing from Quebec. It's made from pasteurized cow's milk. The cheese has an orange-colored washed rind and it ripens in cheese rooms for at least 6 months. The texture is hard, firm, and crumbly, while the aromas are rich and fruity. The flavors are earthy, with nutty, caramel-like, and buttery hints and a tangy citrus finish. Pacific Rock is named after Canada's rugged coastline which is bordered by steep cliffs. It's recommended to pair the cheese with a glass of brown ale or full-bodied whites such as Chenin Blanc or Muscadet.Expand

Alfred le Fermier is a Canadian cheese made with raw milk from Holstein cows. The cheese is produced in Compton, Québec on the Bolduc family farm. The cheese is named after Alfred Bolduc, the founder of the farm. Alfred le fermier, meaning Alfred the farmer, has an orange-colored washed rind and ripens on wooden boards between 8 and 18 months. Its texture is firm, yet supple, and the aromas are reminiscent of the forest and mushrooms. The flavors are complex, with notes of honey, wood, hazelnuts, and fruit. It is recommended to pair it with apple ciders, lagers, and medium-bodied, fruity wines.Expand