The most expensive cheese is generally considered to be Pule, a Serbian delicacy made from Balkan donkey milk (60%) mixed with goat's milk (40%), costing up to $1,300 per kilogram due to its extreme rarity and labor-intensive production, as donkeys produce very little milk and must be hand-milked. Other contenders for expensive cheeses include Sweden's Moose Cheese and Italy's Bitto Storico, often sold for thousands at auctions for specific aged wheels.
Parmigiano Reggiano. 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.
Yes, that is totally OK, as long as you don't see mold, or notice a weird smell. With cheeses that old, a couple more months or even a year won't really matter.
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.
Judges at this year's World Cheese Awards assembled on Thursday to anoint an aged Swiss Gruyère as the best cheese in the world for 2025.
Pule cheese is considered the most expensive cheese in the world, with prices reaching up to $1,300 per kilogram ($590 per pound).
The unhealthiest cheeses are generally highly processed varieties like American cheese singles or cheese spreads (due to high sodium, additives, and lower nutrients) and very rich, creamy soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or triple-crèmes, which are packed with saturated fat and calories, making them best as infrequent treats, says sources 1, 5, 6. Harder cheeses like Stilton and Roquefort can also be high in saturated fat and sodium, respectively, notes sources 4, 8.
While the restaurant's supplier has developed a proprietary American cheese made with 60% real cheese ("51% Cheddar and 9% Other Cheeses," according to McDonald's website), there is a readily available product that mimics the original quite well, according to someone who has been behind the scenes.
Brie – The Queen of Cheeses
Acclaimed as one of the world's great cheeses – in fact, often called the “Queen of Cheeses” – velvety French Brie is characterized by a downy-white edible rind and a cream-colored, buttery-soft interior that oozes at the peak of ripeness.
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.
Exploring the Cheeses of Our Ancestors – Part 1: Skyr and Mysa. Today we're going to take a good look at a delicious Viking treat: skyr! Pronounced “skeer”, this is a soft cheese produced from skimmed milk, a starter culture and rennet. Vikings brought skyr from Norway to Iceland in the late ninth century.
Ancient Greek mythology credited Aristaeus with the discovery of cheese.
Soft cheese will last one week in the fridge but is best consumed before that time. Semi-hard cheeses can last two to three weeks in the fridge when stored properly.
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.
So Where Does The Best Cheese Come From?
A Cheese Expert's Guide to 10 Essential Cheeses to Know and Love
It is allegedly Meghan Markle's favorite cheese and a nod to her time spent in Canada. It was served at the royal wedding. Grey Owl is a surface-ripened cheese covered in vegetal ash. It has a dense paste that becomes creamy and runny at the edges as it ages.
Lactose intolerance is a condition that makes it hard to digest the sugar in milk and milk products, called lactose. People with lactose intolerance often have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. The condition is usually harmless, but its symptoms can cause discomfort.
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
Fonterra – signature cheese. Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd - shake and sundae mixes.
When exposed to high heat, processed cheeses such as the ones used at McDonald's may not melt completely as they contain stabilizers to prevent oil separation, which is common in traditional cheeses. This can lead to the cheese appearing less melted than expected.
Unhealthy Cheeses
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.
Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.