The most popular cheeses in the world (2024)

What are the most popular cheeses in the world? Take a world tour of cheese consumption by country and learn about the most popular cheese in each country, including America.

So where is cheese popular and which cheeses are preferred? We take you on a world tour of cheese consumption by country and learn about the most popular cheese in America and the most popular cheeses in the world.

Cheese consumption by country

Whether cheesemaking began in the mountains of Western Europe or arrived via trade routes from the Arab world, Europe is certainly where it entered and flourished. A major reason for this – and one reason why you won't find cheese in many regions – is genetic.

Most of the world's population is lactose intolerant; When children stop breastfeeding, their bodies reduce production of the lactase needed to digest milk. However, due to varying protein sources in different parts of the world, indigenous peoples learned to adapt. While 95% of Caucasians are lactase retentive and continue to digest dairy products well, this number drops to 50% for people of African descent and only about 5% of East Asians. This is why you almost never find milk, cheese, or dairy products in Asian food, and why cheese consumption varies so much from country to country.

So who eats the most cheese? According to areport of the International Dairy Federation, the top 10 countries for cheese consumption per capita (in 2023) are:

1. France – £57.9 per year
2. Germany – £53.2 per year
3. Luxembourg – £53.2 per year
4. Iceland – £53.2 per year
5. Greece – £51.5 per year
6. Finland – £49.5 per year
7. Italy – £48 per year
8. Switzerland – £48 per year
9. Estonia – £45.8 per year
10. Netherlands – £42.7 per year

Not surprisingly, each of these countries falls squarely in the European sweet spot for lactose tolerance. France in particular is known for producing the most types of cheese (and for staying slim while eating a lot of it)… but what, no USA?

Although the United States produces the most cheese in the world, it falls outside the top 10 in per capita consumption per year at 34.1 pounds per year. That's smaller than Austria, Sweden, Cyprus, Norway...even Israel. And Britain, the ancestral home of Cheddar, produces different types of cheese per capita than any other country, but consumes only 25.7 pounds per capita per year.

Now, of course, the United States is much larger than European countries, and as a nation certainly consumes the most cheese. According to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the United States leads the world in cheese production with 11.1 billion pounds, followed by Germany with 4.81 billion pounds, France with 4.27 billion pounds and Italy with 2.55 billion pounds.

The leading state in the United States for cheese production is Wisconsin. If the state of Wisconsin were a country, it would rank fourth in the world in total cheese production with 2.86 billion pounds, behind the rest of the United States, Germany and France, and just ahead of Italy.

The most popular cheeses in the world

In the parts of the world where cheese is made, you will find different varieties preferred in different regions. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, where preservation was a challenge in the warmer climate, cheese was made by heavily salting the curd. That is why feta is the most famous cheese from Greece. In the cooler parts of Europe (the Alps and the north), where caves and ice provided cooling, one could enjoy a range of fresher cheeses (such as Gouda or Havarti). When European immigrants came to America, they naturally brought with them their native preferences.

Let's count down the top international cheesemakers with the most popular cheese in each country (we're putting Wisconsin along with the rest of the US where it belongs; the favorite cheese is still the same).

Italiaans: Parmigiano-Reggiano ost

There are many variants of itgran(hard cheeses are used for grating), but the "king of cheeses" is named after the cities of Parma and Reggio in the Emilia-Romagna region. There really is nothing better in the world thanParmesan cheese ost.

Italian cheeses are among the most diverse and beloved cheeses in the world, with a rich history and unique traditions dating back centuries. From the sharp and nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano to the smooth, creamy burrata and mozzarella to aged Pecorino Romano, Italian cheeses offer a wide range of textures and flavors that reflect the country's diverse regions and culinary heritage. Each cheese is carefully made using traditional techniques. Whether you eat them alone, in salads or as a topping for pasta or pizza, Italian cheeses are a delicious and essential part of Italian cuisine.

France: Camembert cheese

Camembert is a soft, buttery cheese that is creamy and spreadable at room temperature. It is almost identical to Brie, but comes from a different region of France (Normandy) and is usually made in smaller wheels. Both have a white, floral skin and a rich, earthy mushroom flavor that intensifies with age.

French cheeses are known worldwide for their quality, variety and rich history. With more than 400 different types of cheese produced across the country, France has the most extensive cheese-making tradition in the world. From the soft and creamy brie to the tart roquefort and the nutty comté, French cheeses represent the country's different regions and culinary traditions.

Cheese making in France often involves artisanal techniques and strict regulations to ensure the highest quality, and the country's cheese culture is deeply rooted in its culinary heritage. French cheeses are often eaten neat, paired with wine or used as the main ingredient in classic French dishes such as quiche and fondue. Overall, French cheeses are an essential part of French cuisine and a source of national pride.

Germany: Allgäu Emmental east

Also known as “Bavarian Swiss,” this Alpine-style cheese is the German version of Swiss Emmentaler.Allgäu Emmentaleris a semi-hard cheese with characteristic holes, or "eyes", and a buttery, nutty, rich flavor.

German cheeses may not be as well known as those from other European countries, but they are no less tasty and diverse. German cheese-making traditions go back centuries with a number of regional specialties. From the tart and aromatic Limburger to the creamy and mild butterkäse, German cheeses offer a unique range of flavors and textures that reflect the country's varied landscapes and culinary heritage. In addition to classic cheeses, Germany is also known for the production of Quark, a fresh cheese that resembles yogurt and is often used in sweet and savory dishes.

While German cheeses may not have the same international recognition as some of their European counterparts, they are an essential part of German cuisine and a testament to the country's rich culinary history.

The most popular cheese in America

The United States, as a nation of immigrants, can't really lay claim to a true native cheese. (Native Americans did not have dairy products in their diet.) While they dooriginal American cheeses, they are all based on European recipes and techniques, adapted to local resources and tastes.

Due to British colonial influence, the first cheeses were all made in the United StatesCheddar ost. Swiss immigrants introduced the traditional Emmentaler in the mid-19th century and later developed other Swiss-style cheeses, and Germans, Italians and other Europeans followed suit, spreading these traditions across the eastern and midwestern states.

Meanwhile, Latin American-style cheeses were gaining popularity in the American Southwest. These cheeses come from the Spanish colonists, who mixed with the indigenous population and developed their cheese making accordingly. Instead of adhering to the original European recipes, cheeses like Oaxacan,white cheeseand Chihuahua are unique creations from the New World.

According toa report from the International Dairy Foods AssociationAmericans consume more Italian-style cheeses than other types, followed by American-style cheeses. (This also applies to cheddar.) Americans are also eating more and more natural cheeses and less processed cheese.

As our demographics change, Swiss cheese consumption is declining, while Latin American cheese consumption continues to rise. However, Italian-style cheeses and cheddar are becoming increasingly popular. The Italian cheeses are mainly due to the large amounts of mozzarella that smother the American pizza, while the clear champion for everyday eating is Cheddar.

Wisconsin, as previously mentioned, leads the United States in Cheddar production... actually producing almost as much as the entire United Kingdom. If you want to go on a world tour of the most popular cheeses, you can pretty much do it all with domestic cheeses instead of trying to track down all the originals mentioned above. Start with an award-winning Wisconsin Parmesan, move on to a smooth, creamy Brie and enjoy a nutty, butterySwiss rustdescends from the famous Emmentalers and finishes with a razor-sharp Wisconsin Cheddar cheese.

How many types of cheese are there?

It is difficult to put an exact figure on how many cheeses there are because the number can vary depending on the classification system used and how one defines a "type" of cheese. However, it is estimated that there are over 1,800 different types of cheese worldwide.

Cheeses can be classified based on a number of factors, such as their texture (soft, semi-soft, semi-hard or hard), their country or region of origin, their milk source (cow, goat, sheep, buffalo or other animal) and their production method (raw milk, pasteurized, matured or fresh).

Some common types of cheese include cheddar, mozzarella, brie, feta, gouda, camembert, blue cheese, Parmesan and Swiss cheese. Each of these cheese types has its own unique taste, texture and culinary uses.

In addition to these well-known types of cheese, there are also many lesser-known regional and artisanal types that can be found all over the world.

When was cheese invented?

The exact origin of cheese is unknown as it is believed to have been discovered accidentally. However, there is evidence that cheese making dates back at least 7,000 years, as ancient artefacts have been found in countries such as Poland, Hungary and Switzerland that indicate cheese was made at that time.

However, one legend places the cheese's origins in the Middle East. It is believed that an Arab merchant accidentally did this when preparing for a journey through the desert, by putting a quantity of milk in a bag made from the stomach of a sheep. The natural rennet from the stomach lining, combined with the heat of the sun, caused the milk to separate and choke. When he reached his destination, the curd had a delicious taste and the watery whey quenched his thirst. While whey protein drinks took a while to catch on, cheese became an instant hit and staple food in much of the world.

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