Cheese Around the World 🌍

France 🇫🇷

French cheese is renowned worldwide for its diversity and quality, ranging from the soft, creamy Brie and Camembert to the robust, aged varieties like Roquefort and Comté. Each region in France has its own traditional cheeses, reflecting local milk, climate, and artisanal methods perfected over centuries. You can learn more about some of these gorgeous Frenchies in our cheese pairing guide.

Italy 🇮🇹

Italian cheese is famous for its rich flavors and variety, from soft, fresh cheeses like ricotta and mozzarella to hard cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino. Italian cheeses often reflect regional traditions and local ingredients, making them a cornerstone of Italy’s culinary heritage and some of the most iconic cheeses around the world. Check out the entire process of these beauties come to life in our how cheese is made guide.

Spain 🇪🇸

Spanish cheeses are as diverse as the country’s landscapes. Manchego from La Mancha is the most famous, but smoky Idiazábal from the Basque Country, Cabrales blue cheese from Asturias, and Mahón from Menorca each tell their own regional story. Spanish cheeses pair beautifully with local wines, olives, and cured meats. 🍷

Switzerland 🇨🇭

Swiss cheese is celebrated for its nutty, mild flavors and iconic textures, from the holey, elastic Emmental to the creamy, slightly tangy Gruyère. Switzerland’s cheeses are deeply tied to alpine traditions, with high-quality milk from mountain pastures giving each variety its distinct character.

Netherlands 🇳🇱 & Belgium 🇧🇪

Dutch and Belgian cheeses are famous for their smooth, mild flavors and iconic wax coatings. Gouda and Edam from the Netherlands are enjoyed in both young and creamy forms or aged for a more intense taste. Belgium, meanwhile, is home to aromatic Limburger and monastery-style cheeses, tied to centuries of Trappist traditions. 🧀

Greece 🇬🇷

Greek cheese is salty, tangy, and deeply tied to Mediterranean cuisine. Feta is the country’s most famous export, but Greece also produces kasseri, graviera, and kefalotyri. Whether sprinkled over salads, baked into pies, or grilled, Greek cheeses are an essential component of the region’s fresh and flavorful dishes. 🫒

Germany 🇩🇪

Germany offers a wide range of cheeses, from fresh and mild quark to strong and aromatic Limburger. The Alpine Allgäuer Emmentaler carries a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and is a key ingredient in traditional dishes like käsespätzle. German cheeses often strike a balance between rustic farmhouse traditions and hearty regional cooking.

Portugal 🇵🇹

Portuguese cheeses are rustic and flavorful, often made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. Serra da Estrela, a creamy, spoonable sheep’s cheese, is the most iconic, while Azeitão and São Jorge offer tangy, robust flavors. Portugal’s cheeses are deeply tied to regional farming traditions and often enjoyed with local bread and wine. 🍞🍷

Scandinavia 🇸🇪🇩🇰🇳🇴

Scandinavian cheeses range from mild and nutty to bold and blue. Norway’s Jarlsberg is famous worldwide, Denmark is known for Danablu (a creamy blue), and Sweden’s Västerbottensost is a sharp, aged classic. These cheeses reflect both Viking-age traditions and modern Scandinavian culinary innovation.

United Kingdom 🇬🇧 & Ireland 🇮🇪

The British Isles boast some of the world’s most iconic cheeses. England is home to Cheddar and different types of blue cheese, like the powerful Stilton, while Wales offers crumbly Caerphilly. Across the sea, Ireland produces creamy farmhouse styles like Cashel Blue and sharp cheddars. These cheeses reflect a hearty, rustic tradition.

United States 🇺🇸 & Canada 🇨🇦

North America blends tradition with innovation in cheesemaking. The U.S. produces world-class cheddars, creamy blues, and inventive artisan styles, especially in Wisconsin, Vermont, and California. Canada is equally proud of its Quebecois Oka, sharp cheddars, and farmhouse specialties. Both countries are pushing boundaries with bold flavors and innovative aging techniques.

Mexico 🇲🇽

Mexican cheese is known for its fresh, mild flavors and versatile textures. Queso fresco and queso blanco are perfect for sprinkling, while Oaxaca cheese (often called “Mexican string cheese”) and Chihuahua cheese melt beautifully in quesadillas and enchiladas. Rooted in both indigenous and Spanish traditions, Mexican cheeses are essential to daily cooking. 🌮

South America 🌎

Cheese in South America reflects European influence with a local twist. Argentina produces Reggianito, an aged cow’s milk cheese inspired by Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano, while Brazil’s queijo minas is a soft, fresh cheese enjoyed daily. These cheeses blend Old World traditions with local terroir, creating unique regional favorites.

Middle East 🌍

Middle Eastern cheese is prized for its tangy, salty flavors and varied textures. Soft labneh is spreadable and refreshing, while brined halloumi and Nabulsi are perfect for grilling. Made from sheep, goat, or cow’s milk, these cheeses are central to mezze tables and reflect centuries of culinary heritage across the region.

Turkey 🇹🇷

Turkey has a rich cheese culture, with varieties enjoyed from breakfast through dinner. Beyaz peynir, a crumbly brined cheese, is a staple alongside olives and bread, while tulum offers a tangy, aged profile. Kaşar, a semi-hard cheese, is another favorite, often used in cooking and pastries.

India 🇮🇳

Indian cheese is defined by paneer, a fresh, non-melting cheese used in countless curries, snacks, and street foods. Mild and versatile, paneer absorbs spices beautifully, making it a cornerstone of vegetarian cooking. Its simplicity and adaptability set it apart from aged European traditions.

The world is yours

From creamy Brie in France 🇫🇷 to smoky Idiazábal in Spain 🇪🇸, crumbly feta in Greece 🇬🇷 to fresh paneer in India 🇮🇳, the world of cheese is astonishingly diverse. 🧀 Each region tells a story through its cheeses, shaped by climate, culture, and history. Exploring regional cheeses is more than a culinary journey — it’s a way to taste the traditions of the world, one bite at a time.