Nidelven blue, produced by Gangstad Gårdsysteri in Inderøy, was named the world’s best cheese 2023. It is the third time a Norwegian cheese has won World Cheese Awards. Read more about Gold Medal in World Cheese Awards 2023 to Norwegian cheesemaker.
Cheeses from around the world were judged by a panel of experts, buyers, retailers and food writers at the 2023 World Cheese Awards (WCA), held in Trondheim, Norway.
In 2018, the same championship was held in Bergen, that time with a winner from the Bergen area (Fanaost from Ostegården). Also in 2016, there was a Norwegian winner (Kraftkar from Tingvollost).
The World Cheese Awards is the largest annual international cheese-only event, bringing together cheesemakers, retailers, buyers, and food commentators from around the globe. The judging panel of World Cheese Awards has gradually built their reputation over the last 30 years, and is now one of the highest authorities on international cheese.
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4,502 cheeses from 43 countries were judged in World Cheese Awards 2023. All are tasted “blind”, that is, the judges do not know which cheeses they are tasting. Then the cheeses are judged, taste and aroma, and points are awarded. The best cheeses are awarded either gold, silver or bronze.
Last year, 16 were crowned as the best, but handmade, semi-solid blue Nidelven Blå cheese, topped them all, including the other 292 entries from Norway.
Here are the 10 best cheeses in the world right now:
Nidelven Blå from Gangstad Gårdsysteri (Norway)
Baliehof Houtlandse Asche Kaas from Baliehof Kaas En Zuivelboerderij Jabbeke (Belgium)
Eberle Würzig Seit 5 Generationen from Dorfkäserei Muolen (Switzerland)
Eleftheria Brunost from Vivanda Gourmet (India)
Müller-Thurgau Rezent from Käserei Müller-Thurgau (Switzerland)
Kärntnermilch Mölltaler Almkäse Selektion 50% FiT. from Kärntnermilch (Austria)
Michel from Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz (Germany)
Holland Delta, 1 Year Old from Van der Heiden Kaas (Netherlands)
Old Amsterdam Goat from Westland Kaasexport (Netherlands)
Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Months from Nazionale Parmigiano Reggiano Rastelli Fratelli (Italy)
Gold Medal in World Cheese Awards 2023to Norwegian Cheesemaker, written by Tor Kjolberg