Savor Europe: The Perfect Cheese Lover’s Tour

Are you a cheese lover? Then, why haven’t you explored Europe till now? From the delicious Spanish Manchego to the Swiss Emmental (yes, the one that has holes), Europe offers a huge cheese platter with loads of varieties. France is known for the famous Eiffel Tower, but do you know it has more than 1000 types of cheese? Surprising, right?

Whether it is a huge cheese wheel, stinky cheese, or cheese made in caves, every type of cheese offered in Europe has been crafted with a story, by hand, and with love. In this blog, we will have a perfect cheese tour in Europe; this journey is going to be delectable!

You can find Asturias in northern Spain; it’s basically a mountainous area and often called “The Land of Cheeses” because of its variety and distinct cheese-making processes. The area is known for producing cheese types like La Peral, Gamoneu, and Afuega’l Pitu, but the showstopper is the Cabrales cheese. Cabrales is a bold-flavored blue cheese that is fermented in caves for a long period of time; it has a great taste and is widely eaten in the whole of Europe. The blue cheese is usually made from goat or sheep milk, and is a must-try! Asturias crafts more than 40 types of cheeses; no other Spanish area produces this much! Want cheese with some views? Explore the countryside villages, they are very pretty, and you can easily observe how villagers use ancient techniques to preserve cheese; the region is ideal for cheese preserving because of its damp weather and cool leafy grazing areas.

France is often talked about for its Eiffel Tower and pastries, but have you ever heard about its cheese scene? The cheese scene of France is quite underrated. France is a country that has transformed the cheese-making process into something more innovative; from the tempting Brie with creamy texture to the potent Roquefort, the cheeses in France are as diverse as its destinations. How can we forget about the velvety Camembert and buttery Comte? Want a better experience? Then walk through the local markets of the city, where cheese lovers can explore the amazing range of cheese and enjoy a cheese-tasting adventure; warning: you might not want to leave the market after trying the first sample.

Switzerland is among gorgeous places to visit in Europe, known for its beauty and mountains. But have you ever tried the cheese here? If not, you are missing out on a lot! This country is responsible for producing almost 475 types of cheese and has mastered the skill of producing high-quality brie. In Switzerland, you can find the legendary Swiss cheese (Emmental), decadent Gruyère, and the star of the show, zesty Appenzeller. The cheese in Switzerland has a great flavor, thanks to the temperature and humidity-controlled caves. Want to know how cheese is made here? Explore the alpine areas of the country, where you can witness skilled cheese makers using ancient cheese-preservation techniques and the carefully grown alpine cows' milk to form a culinary treasure. Fun fact: Switzerland is the native land of the two cheese dishes that have become globally famous: fondue and raclette. 

The cheese-making culture in the Netherlands dates back centuries now and is still considered to be one of the finest. Yearly, the Netherlands produces more than 900 million kgs of cheese to export globally. The most famous produced cheeses in the Netherlands are Edam and Gouda; Gouda has many types and covers almost 60 percent of the Dutch cheese production. You can either have it velvety (jong) or flaky and delicate (Oude). On the other hand, Edam is known for its round shape and earthy taste; you can also try the pungent Maasdam. Want a stroll through cheese markets? Explore the markets like Alkmaar, Gouda, and Edam to fully witness the cheese-making processes. For a remarkable experience, opt for a cheese-tasting tour, where a cheese lover can learn about the complex flavors of cheese and understand why Dutch cheese is so loved around the world.

Italy is a paradise for pizza lovers and foodies; thus, it's very normal for it to be a cheese-producing country too. From the soft and velvety Burrata to the bold and potent Parmigiano-Reggiano, the cheeses in Italy are a living proof of the growing culinary innovation of the country. Explore the natural cheese caves of the great Piedmont to see how the famous Gorgonzola is fermented to excellence, or stroll through the small cliffs of Tuscany to learn about the iconic Pecorino cheese production using ancient methods passed down from the ancestors. For an extraordinary experience, opt for a cheese-tasting adventure to taste Italy’s mouthwatering cheese delicacies.  

When thinking about the cheese regions in Europe, Poland might not be the first country that comes to mind — but it has a rich history of cheese-making that deserves attention. Poland is known for producing a wide variety of cheeses, from fresh and creamy to aged and fermented, many made using recipes passed down through generations.

The most famous Polish cheese is Oscypek, a smoked, spindle-shaped cheese made from salted sheep’s milk in the Tatra Mountains. What makes it truly special is the craftsmanship of the baca — mountain shepherds who use traditional wooden molds and age-old techniques to shape and smoke the cheese.

Other popular cheeses include Bundz, a soft and creamy sheep’s milk cheese, and Twaróg, a fresh dairy cheese commonly used in classic Polish dishes. Each region of Poland has its own unique cheese-making methods and traditions, contributing to a rich and diverse cheese culture.