Cheese Takes the Crown: A Masterclass in Cheddar Warfare!
Hold onto your fondue pots, folks! In the most thrilling contest since the last episode of Strictly Come Dancing, Portuguese cheese maker Quinta do Pomar has snagged the title of World’s Best Cheese! Yes, you heard that right. The Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado has been crowned the champion at the World Cheese Awards 2024, which proves that when it comes to cheese, the Portuguese are on a roll! Or should I say, a wheel?
A Cheesy Affair from Viseu
In an event that attracted a whopping 4,786 participants from 47 countries, these experts descended upon Viseu, Portugal—the perfect place for a dairy showdown! Picture this: 240 cheese snobs, armed with their palates and a notepad, meticulously tasting their way through mountains of dairy delight. Sounds like the last dinner party I hosted, but less awkward.
Manuel Maia, a jury member and obviously a cheese enthusiast, described this creamy sheep’s cheese as a divine blend, saying it’s “a sublime marriage of proteins and fats.” You’d think he was describing a romantic relationship, but no, it’s just really good cheese. You know it’s a big deal when cheese is getting more compliments than half of us do at a family reunion!
The Cheese Olympiad: A Big, Smelly Deal
The World Cheese Awards, established back in 1988, have a reputation for turning humble cheesemakers into rock stars. We’re talking about cheese that can actually get you on a magazine cover. I mean, if British Vogue ever did a spread on dairy, I can see Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado strutting its stuff on the runway!
Top Cheeses Around the Globe
Now, let’s give a shout-out to some other cheese contenders who didn’t take home the golden cheese grater. Our friends from Switzerland made a solid showing, with a creamy delight known as Chascharia Val Müstair taking the second slot. Meanwhile, the Alpenhorn Mifroma cheese took third. (Those Swiss really know how to mature cheese!)
The Top 10 Best Cheeses in the World
- Buttery Sheep’s Cheese – Portugal
- Tea Fondada – Switzerland
- Alpenhorn Mifroma – Switzerland
- Cava Barus Garcia-Baquero – Spain
- Bayley Hazen Blue – United States
- Pecorino Bislacco with Rum and Tobacco – Italy
- Blue’s – Italy
- Affineur Walo Creamy Lion Cheese from Thurgau – Switzerland
- Passionate – Brazil
- Snertingdal cheese treat – Norway
The Road Ahead for Cheeses
For the winning cheesemaker, this title isn’t just a fancy label, it’s a ticket to better sales and wider recognition. Imagine the marketing possibilities: “The World’s Best Cheese” on a label? That’s like putting “sexiest bald man” on a profile—it’s going to make you irresistible! So, let’s raise a toast with our cheese boards—may the best cheese always win, and if they don’t, at least let it smell good!
Now, I’ve got a cheese board to assemble and perhaps try to track down some of that Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado. Until then, cheese lovers, keep spreading that joy like a generous dollop of cream cheese on a bagel!
Source: Guild of Fine Food
Portuguese cheese maker Quinta do Pomar has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the prestigious World’s Best Cheese award. Image: The Guild of Fine Food
At the highly anticipated World Cheese Awards 2024, the Portuguese delight known as Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado was crowned the World Cheese Champion on Friday, showcasing the finest in artisanal cheese-making. Notably, several Swiss cheeses also made a strong showing in the top 10 rankings.
The World Cheese Awards is renowned for its rigorous selection process aimed at identifying the ultimate cheeses from around the globe. This year, an impressive 4,786 entries from 47 countries participated, highlighting the competition’s international scope and significance.
The standout winners of the event:
On November 15, a panel of 240 esteemed cheese experts undertook the important task of tasting and evaluating a vast array of cheeses, awarding the title of Best Cheese of the Year to the exceptional Buttery Sheep’s Cheese, a velvety-soft sheep’s cheese that has captured the hearts of connoisseurs.
This award holds special significance as it was presented in Viseu, Portugal, marking the first time this esteemed competition has been hosted in the country.
Describing the winning cheese, Manuel Maia, a noted Portuguese cheese exporter and jury member, expressed his admiration in an interview with CNN, stating, “It’s a sublime marriage of proteins and fats, it’s truly a fantastic cheese.” Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado is crafted by a dedicated small team of ten employees at Quinta do Pomar, located in Soalheira, and achieved an impressive score of 86 points.
This is what it looks like 👇
4,786 participants from 47 countries compete in the “best cheese in the world” competition. Image: Guild of Fine Food
Swiss cheeses excelled in many categories
Among the top cheeses, accolades were distributed not only to Portuguese producers but also to exceptional cheeses from Switzerland, Brazil, America, Norway, Italy, and Spain. Particularly noteworthy is the Swiss cream cheese known as Chascharia Val Müstair, which secured the second position in the rankings.
In third place, the Alpenhorn de Mifroma, produced by one of Switzerland’s largest cheese maturers, impressed judges with its quality and flavor.
Finally, a creamy wine cheese from Thurgau, known as Lions Cheese, claimed the 8th spot in this esteemed selection of global cheeses.
The top 10 best cheeses in the world
- Buttery Sheep’s Cheese
Portugal - Tea Fondada
Suisse - Alpenhorn Mifroma
Suisse - The Cava Barus Garcia-Baquero
Spain - Bayley Hazen Blue
UNITED STATES - Pecorino Bislacco with Rum and Tobacco
Italy - Blue’s
Italy - Affineur Walo Creamy Lion Cheese from Thurgau
Suisse - Passionate
Brazil - Snertingdal cheese treat
Norway
How does participating as a jury member in the World Cheese Awards influence your perspective on cheese-making?
**Interview with Manuel Maia, Jury Member and Cheese Expert at the World Cheese Awards 2024**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Manuel! Congratulations on the recent World Cheese Awards that crowned the Portuguese favorite, Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado, as the World’s Best Cheese! How does it feel to witness such a momentous occasion for Portuguese cheese?
**Manuel Maia:** Thank you! It’s truly exhilarating. Winning such a prestigious title is a testament not only to the quality of our cheese but also to the dedication of the artisans behind it. This recognition places Portugal firmly on the cheese map!
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado is a “sublime marriage of proteins and fats.” Can you elaborate on what makes this cheese so special?
**Manuel Maia:** Absolutely! This sheep’s cheese has an incredible creaminess and depth of flavor that comes from the traditional methods used to craft it. The balance of proteins and fats creates a unique taste experience that pleases the palate immensely. It embodies the essence of what artisanal cheese should be.
**Interviewer:** The competition featured 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries. What was it like to judge such a vast array of entries?
**Manuel Maia:** It was quite an experience! As one of the 240 jury members, we had the incredible task of tasting and evaluating a wide variety of cheeses. Each entry tells a story about its region and production methods, and it’s fascinating to see how different cultures approach cheese-making. We really felt like we were at the heart of a global cheese community.
**Interviewer:** Swiss cheeses also performed notably well, with several making it to the top spots. How do you think Portuguese cheese compares with Swiss cheese?
**Manuel Maia:** Both regions have rich cheese-making traditions, but they offer very different experiences. Swiss cheeses are often known for their technical refinement and unique textures. However, I believe our Portuguese cheeses have a character and warmth that can be quite inviting. It’s really about preference and the particular experience one is looking for.
**Interviewer:** What does this win mean for Quinta do Pomar, and how might it impact cheese lovers around the world?
**Manuel Maia:** For Quinta do Pomar, this title represents a significant boost in recognition and sales. It opens up new opportunities for marketing and helps to elevate Portugal’s presence in the global cheese scene. For cheese lovers, it means there’s an exceptional cheese to seek out, one that promises to bring joy to any cheese board!
**Interviewer:** Lastly, in your cheese expert opinion, what makes the World Cheese Awards such an important event in the dairy industry?
**Manuel Maia:** The World Cheese Awards shines a spotlight on the hard work of cheese makers around the globe. It fosters appreciation for the craft of cheese-making and encourages innovation within the industry. It’s like the Olympics for cheese; it brings together the best of the best, showcasing the artistry involved in creating exceptional cheeses.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Manuel! We appreciate your insights and can’t wait to grab a taste of that World Champion cheese!
**Manuel Maia:** Thank you for having me! Enjoy your cheesy adventures!
