Cheese has been mentioned since ancient times as it was considered to be enriched with important nutrients, fats, and proteins.
Moreover, people loved its taste and found it useful in preparing several recipes. It needed less storing space and had better longevity than milk, which was its primary source.
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, there is a huge consumption of cheese in international markets, and the figures continue to rise year by year. This is because the quality of cheese has become more refined, and it is now even available in flavors. There are several types of cheese that you can easily get hold of like Italian style, cheddar, and processed cheese.
Have you ever given a single thought before purchasing a cheese block or have gone with the flow and bought the one that everyone is buying?
A creamy layer of cheese on any food item gives it a heavenly flavor and taste, and this is the reason why everyone is tempted to use and buy cheese from the markets. Do you know that there are several most expensive cheese in this world that you will trade your soul for a taste?
For some people, quality cheese is a luxury whereas, for cheese lovers, it is a necessity and a craving that they have to indulge in. Once you taste the right kind, you will not be able to compromise much because the taste and texture both are out of this world.
Let’s discuss some rare and expensive cheese that has managed to create a unique impression and premium name for itself.
Table of Contents
#1 Pule
Considerable resources and ample time is needed to create this extraordinary cheese. At an amazing price tag of 600 dollars per pound, Pule is one of the most expensive cheeses available for consumption.
This rare and valuable dairy product is made by Slobodan Simic in his farm located in Serbia, and the milk is taken from the Zasavica donkey reserve. The cheese has been certified by the World Record Academy and is said to strengthen the immune system of our body and hence is considered very valuable by experts.
Pule is available only-on-demand and not via commercial markets. To prepare one kg of the white and crumbly cheese, you need twenty-five liters of Balkan donkey milk, the donkey being a native of Montenegro and Serbia.
Pule is rich in proteins and vitamins and low in fats. The cheese has a particular taste because it is smoked as part of the process.
#2 Moose Cheese
At 455 dollars per pound, Moose Cheese is one of the most expensive cheese in the world. It is a product from the Moose House and is made in Sweden. The source of milk for making cheese is three moose named Juna, Haelga, and Gullan.
It is available in a limited quantity because moose can only be milked between May and September. There are four variants of Moose cheese known as Dried Blue Cheese, Creamy Blue, White Mold and Feta, and it is sold through Algen Hus, a famous restaurant.
The cheese is soft with a creamy texture and smooth flavor. It is an exclusive product with 12% protein and an equal amount of fat and is kept in a jar. It is best for use within the first six months although if preserved properly it can last for a year.
#3 White Stilton Gold
White Stilton Gold is considered as a holiday exclusive and with a tag of 400 – 450 dollars per pound also as the most expensive cheese in the world. It is produced by Long Clawson Dairy that is at Leicestershire in England.
The white cheese is said to use actual gold, for instance, gold liqueur and gold flecks during its production process hence its name. Different fruit flavors are also used during its makings like apricots, ginger, and lemon.
White Stilton Gold is a British product that only six creameries have permission to make. The cheese has a tangy taste and creamy texture.
#4 Wyke Farms Cheddar
Wyke Farms has introduced one of the most expensive cheese in the world at 200 dollars per pound. It is cheddar cheese and is manufactured in their family farm since the years 1860s at Somerset in Great Britain.
Wyke Farms Cheddar is one of the popular, traditional, and most expensive cheeses available in the consumer market. It is full-flavored, infused with French truffle and gold leaf and has a tangy taste.
It takes one year for the cheese to reach its actual potential. The cheese has won awards for its distinct taste and quality.
#5 Extra Old Bitto
China is known for some of the oldest and most expensive cheese in its markets. The Bitto Cheese derived its name from a river that flows in Italy from where the cheese was first produced. Extra Old Bitto comes at a price tag of 150 dollars per pound, making it one of the most expensive cheese in the world.
The rare cheese is considered extra special as it is aged for nearly ten years and is made by an amalgamation of Swedish brown Cow and Orbic goat’s milk.
The oldest block of Extra Old Bitto is from the year 1996, and it is said to be stored at Gerola Alta in the sanctuary of Bitto. A 44-pound cheese aged sixteen years was sold to ProFood Hong Kong. It was first introduced in China by this importer from Hong Kong who distributed small portions from the full block to resellers in and around his country.
#6 Old Ford
Old Fort is priced at 50 dollars per pound and is one of the most expensive cheese in the consumer market. It is manufactured by Neal’s Yard Dairy with the help of the unpasteurized milk of goat that comes from England.
It is firm and delicate that is aged and later pressed by hand to gain due perfection. Old Ford cheese is known all over the world for its buttery, salty and savory flavor, and exquisite taste.
In summer it matures within three months, but in the second half of the year, it is aged for nearly eight months to give it an intense flavor and dense texture.
#7 Caciocavallo Podolico
Caciocavallo Podolico is one of the popular and traditional cheese in the southern part of Italy. At a price tag of 50 dollars per pound, it has gained entry into the list of most expensive cheese in the world.
The name means Horse cheese, but it is not made from horse’s milk. In fact, during curing, it was hung from the horses so that it could be transported easily hence the name.
Caciocavallo Podolico is made from the milk of an Italian origin cow called Podolico. The cattle are a rare breed that spends its summers and winters in the mountains and pastures of Puglia respectively.
The cheese is pear-shaped and is considered a complex cheese. It is aged in natural caves and has creamy and stringy texture, fruity aroma and earthy flavors. It starts as white and creamy but with time becomes amber-colored with a flaky texture.
#8 Jersey Blue
Jersey Blue is an award-winning cheese and with a tag of 45 dollars per pound has gained entry into the club of most expensive cheese in the world.
It was first made at Lichtenstein region in Switzerland by Willi Schmid. The name is derived from the breed of the cattle that is the source of the milk for producing the cheese.
The natural Jersey Blue semi-soft cheese is a combination of a musty, tangy flavor and smooth, buttery flavor to offer a different taste. It is very popular in the consumer market irrespective of being one of the most expensive cheese.
#9 Beaufort D’Ete
Beaufort D’Ete is made in the French Alps by the makers Egremont. At 45 dollars per pound, it has become one of the most expensive cheese in the world.
The cheese is made from the milk of Beaufort cows that were brought from Asia to France. To make 90 pounds of cheese, you need one hundred and thirty gallons of milk.
The cheese is aromatic, and the raw milk gradually makes its flavor with nutty aftertaste after being aged for nearly five months. The slightly pungent smell and creamy texture make it a favorite of individuals who love fondue cheese that melts easily.
#10 Caciobufala
Caciobufala is an Italian origin cheese that is made from the pasteurized milk obtained from water buffalo at the Piana del Sel Diary. It is available at 45 dollars per pound thus gaining entry into the list of most expensive cheese.
It is a compact and semi-hard cheese that is a complete delight in terms of smell and taste. It has a pleasant and singular aroma because of the unique ingredients used in its making.
It is aged for a year in Casa Madaio caves to give it a buttery flavor and semi-hard texture. Caciobufala is ivory-colored with slight marking.
#11 Epoisses de Bourgogne
At 45 dollars per pound, Epoisses de Bourgogne is one of the most expensive cheeses available in markets. The pungent cheese is considered a luxury item from France. It takes only six weeks to produce this spreadable delight with the legendary smell.
Epoisses de Bourgogne is a combination of being firm and chewy and sweet and spicy. It has an orange rind that is washed from the brandy Marc de Bourgogne, made from the vineyards of Cote-d’Or.
#12 Rogue River Blue
Rogue River Blue is sold for 40 dollars per pound and has gained entrance into the most expensive cheese list in the world.
It was made by Tom Vella in Rogue Creamery in South Oregon. It is manufactured only in the months of autumn, and its manufacturing is overseen by Cary Bryant.
Rogue River Blue is a cheese with firm texture with fruity and hazelnut flavors. This creamy blue cheese was made from cow’s milk that is richest during the fall months. This is a high-quality product that has created a good market for its product.
#13 Gorau Glas
Gorau Glass is made in Dwyran, Anglesey and is one of the most expensive cheeses produced in the United Kingdom at a tag of 40 dollars per pound.
The production started in the year 2002 when a process was developed by Margaret Davies, a dairy farmer, for making of blue cheese from the milk of the cattle at their family farm.
It is a soft blue cheese with a pleasing taste and appearance because of a methodical production process and excellent ingredients. Although it started as a local brand, Gorau Glass has steadily climbed the ladder of success and has become a successful international brand.
#14 Winnimere
Winnimere is made by Jasper Hill Farm and is originally made in Vermont. It is manufactured only in the winter months, and this is the reason why it is scarce and valuable. At a tag of 30 dollars per pound has become one of the most expensive cheese to be sold in international markets.
Winner of several awards Winnimere is considered an excellent product because of its quality, flavor, and taste. The aging process is complete in two months. This artisanal cheese is soft with a creamy texture and sweet taste that has a woodsy aroma.
#15 Lord Of the Hundreds
Lord of the Hundreds is sold at 20 dollars per pound. It might seem paltry when compared with other cheese brands, but still, it has managed to gain entry into the list of most expensive cheese in the world.
It is produced by Cliff and Julie Dyball from the Traditional Cheese Dairy located in the United Kingdom.
Lord of the Hundreds is made from the raw milk of local sheep from East Sussex in England. It is rustic and has a sharp, slightly dry and nutty flavor. This artisanal cheese is semi-hard and with time develops a nutty caramel flavor that is balanced between sweet and savory.
#16 Parmigiano Reggiano
At a price tag of 21.33 dollars per pound Parmigiano Reggiano has entered the club of most expensive cheese in the world. It is Parmesan cheese that is made from the milk of cows.
It is aged for a minimum period of twelve months and a maximum of thirty-six months to create strong flavors. The cheese is made as per the traditional methods set up by the company at its onset.
The production process follows the strict regulation and standard set up by the EU. The company takes special care to maintain the nutritional characteristics of its production via the best possible production process. The cows are fed a certain type of food so that the milk maintains its exclusivity.
It is a fact that cheese lovers and experts are always on the look-out to find exciting ways of making an extraordinary and delicious block of cheese. In the near future, you will surely get more options for this luxury food item. There already exists some rare and distinct kind of cheese that have managed to enter the club of most expensive cheese in the world because of high price tags.
Joe says
You forgot artisanal Spanish cheese. Many of their sheep cheese is very good and cured, usually for more than two years, such as some Manchego’s, Zamorano’s and Basque’s. Some are also well spiced with olive oil, rosemary or lard.
They also have very good hard goat cheese, such as the Payoyo, some very strong blue cheese, such as the Cabrales.
And strong soft cheese such as the Torta del Casar.