What makes the greatest cheese in the world? Tangy taste? Creamy consistency? Extra whiffy smell? Well, finding the world’s greatest cheese is precisely the point of the World Cheese Awards, which were held this year in Newport, Wales. Over 4,400 cheese from 42 countries competed take the top prize – and they were all in one room. Imagine the smell, eh?
The thousands of cheeses were first narrowed down by the judges to 98 ‘super gold’ champions, before those were then cut down again to a top 16.
This year’s winner was a gruyère called Le Gruyère AOP surchoix, which was entered by Swiss cheesemaker Vorderfultigen. Gruyère is a hard cheese that traditionally comes from the French-speaking town of Gruyères in Switzerland. Vorderfultigen’s cheese was described by the judges as refined and hand-crafted, with tasting notes of herbs, fruits and leather.
In second place was the Gorgonzola Dolce DOP made by De’ Magi in Italy, while third place was taken by Âlde Fryske, which is made by Dutch cheesemakers De Fryske.
Here were the top 10 cheeses at this year’s World Cheese Awards.
- Le Gruyère AOP surchoix by Vorderfultigen (Switzerland)
- Gorgonzola Dolce DOP by De’ Magi (Italy)
- Âlde Fryske by De Fryske (Netherlands)
- Grosse Tomme de Bufflonne by Prolactine (France)
- Tomme de chèvre by Prolactine (France)
- Pata de Mulo Curado by Quesería Artesanal Los Payuelos (Spain)
- Greensward by Murray’s Cheese (USA)
- Devon Blue by Ticklemore Cheese (UK)
- Grosse Tomme de chèvre by Prolactine (France)
- Spenwood by Village Maid Cheese (UK)
You can take a peek at all the winners of the World Cheese Awards 2022 and find out more here... and best get something to clean up yer cheese-induced dribble.
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