There's no single "highest quality" cheese as it's subjective, but Parmigiano Reggiano (King of Cheeses), award-winners like Swiss Gruyère or Australian Pecorino, and rare Pule (donkey milk) are often cited for excellence, with quality determined by aging, production (like raw milk), and unique flavor profiles, often judged by taste tests or competitions like the World Cheese Awards.
Considered to be among the world's top quality cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano is made with raw, semi-skimmed milk from cows grazing on fresh grass and hay. It has a hard, gritty texture and its flavors range from nutty to robust and slightly piquant, depending on how long the cheese had matured.
There's no single "best" cheese, but top contenders often cited include Holy Goat's La Luna (goat cheese), Prom Country's Inverloch Blue, Long Paddock Cheese, Fromart's Devil's Foot, and Apostle Whey's Southern Briez, with recent awards recognizing Montefiore Trecce (Grand Champion 2025) and Inverloch Blue as top specialty cheeses, showcasing Australia's diverse, high-quality artisanal scene.
Any cheese with an ingredients list of only milk, salt, and enzymes/cultures (like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, gouda, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, etc.) is 100% real cheese, while "American Cheese" or "cheese products" often contain added emulsifiers and flavorings, making them processed rather than purely natural cheese. Always check the label: if it lists more than milk, salt, and enzymes (like sodium citrate, whey, artificial flavors), it's a cheese product.
Known as the “King of Cheeses”, Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano was first produced by Benedictine and Cistercian monks a thousand years ago. Over the centuries, it has acquired global prominence and is now a hugely popular choice for food-lovers the world over.
The unhealthiest cheeses are typically highly processed varieties like American cheese slices, spray cheese, and cheese spreads/dips, due to high sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy fats; however, rich, creamy natural cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and triple-crèmes are also high in saturated fat, making them less healthy in large amounts, with blue cheeses like Roquefort topping salt content. The "unhealthiest" depends on your health goal, but generally, processed versions offer less nutritional value and more additives than natural cheese, even high-fat ones.
The healthiest cheeses are often fresh, low-sodium options like Cottage Cheese, due to its high protein and low calories, and Mozzarella, known for being lower in sodium and fat. Other excellent choices include Ricotta, Goat Cheese, and Parmesan, offering good protein, calcium, and flavor without excessive calories, though portion control remains key for all cheeses.
But here's the spooky thing: Kraft Singles isn't actually cheese. Legally, it can't be called or classified that because it contains less than 51% cheese. Instead, Kraft Singles is a processed amalgamation of pasteurized milk by-products. Maybe this doesn't come as a surprised.
🧀 Our blind-taste test crowned Waitrose & Partners the best mature cheddar, with Marks and Spencer close behind and Aldi UK taking the Great Value title. Turns out supermarket cheese can outshine the big brands!
A full flavoured cheese with a deliciously smooth texture.
Bega Farmers' Tasty Natural Cheese Slices are a source of calcium. 100% Natural. Available across a range of sizes and formats.
Choose Aged Varieties: Generally, the longer a cheese is aged, the higher its probiotic content. Look for aged cheddar, gouda, or other varieties that have undergone an extended aging process.
Look for cheese that has a consistent texture, with no visible mold or discoloration. The rind should be firm, and the cheese should have a pleasant aroma. Price: High-end cheeses are often more expensive than other cheeses.
Pule cheese is considered the most expensive cheese in the world, with prices reaching up to $1,300 per kilogram ($590 per pound).
Nonfat cheddar cheese: It contains 5mg of cholesterol and 0g of saturated fat per one-ounce serving. Ricotta cheese: This lasagna staple has under 9mg of cholesterol and 1.4g of saturated fat per ounce. Swiss cheese: One slice of Swiss has less than 1g of saturated fat and 10mg of cholesterol.
Cheddar. An English semi-hard cheese, cheddar is made from cow's milk. It's rich in protein and calcium, and a good source of vitamin K2, which we need for healthy bones and teeth.
Dietitians recommend opting for feta, gouda, goat, fresh mozzarella or any grass-fed cheese. Pair these cheeses with lifestyle habits, like exercise and sleep, to help lower inflammation.
Let this list help guide your cheese choices for heart health.
Any cheese with an ingredients list of only milk, salt, and enzymes/cultures (like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, gouda, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, etc.) is 100% real cheese, while "American Cheese" or "cheese products" often contain added emulsifiers and flavorings, making them processed rather than purely natural cheese. Always check the label: if it lists more than milk, salt, and enzymes (like sodium citrate, whey, artificial flavors), it's a cheese product.
Cottage cheese is probably the healthiest cheese, Rizzo says. “It's lower in saturated fat and higher in protein than most other cheese,” she explains. Rizzo recommends reaching for the low-fat variety, noting it still tastes good.
Pleasant Ridge Reserve
Each year one cheese is voted the “Best in Show” at the American Cheese Society award. Over 2,000 cheeses compete every year. Pleasant Ridge Reserve has won this highest honor four times.
Here are the 10 most caloric cheeses, according to their average caloric values, per 100g of cheese: Boursin = 400 to 435 Kcal. Ossau Iraty = 400 Kcal. Parmesan = 390 Kcal.
Higher sodium cheeses (980 to 1,375 mg of sodium/100 g of cheese) include blue, Romano, Parmesan, Roquefort, and feta (Johnson et al., 2009). Lower sodium cheeses (350 to 475 mg/100 g of cheese) include Swiss and fresh Mozzarella (Johnson et al. 2009).
Studies suggest that consuming cheese before bed can improve sleep quality by calming the nervous system and enhancing melatonin production. However, individual responses vary; some people may experience vivid dreams or nightmares after eating cheese.