The world’s best cheese has been crowned beating off stiff – and sometimes smelly – competition.
The Norwegian blue cheese became the world’s new number one cheese – and cheese-loving countries Britain and France were nowhere to be seen in the top ten.
The Guild of Fine Food runs the World Cheese Awards which is now in its 35th year, with 2023 seeing a record amount of entrants: an astonishing 4,502 cheeses from 43 countries, reports The Telegraph.
Nidelven Blå from cheesemaker Gangstad Gårdsysteri won the title in Trondheim, Norway on Friday (October 27) at the world’s largest cheese competition.
Maren Gangstadt, general manager of Gangstadt Gårdsysteri, said: “We’re a small dairy farm based just two hours from here, so this happening on our home turf means a lot, and having all of the crew from the dairy here adds an extra spark to it.”
One judge said: “It has this sort of short creaminess, like real dense fudginess” and another said it was “the perfect blue cheese.”
A Belgian morbier-style cheese came in second place and a Swiss Alpine entrant came third.
Telegraph assistant food editor Tomé Morrissy-Swan was one of the judges for the event.
He wrote: “In a huge gymnasium in Trondheim, which is well used to smelling this funky, 100 oversized trestle tables laden with around 45 cheeses each were prepared for the global judging panel of experts.
“Despite this being my third year on the panel, I’m still not used to that smell. It’s the first thing that hits you – all the beautiful sweet, salty, musty notes blended with sweat and mould.
“Around 20 people watched from the stands, a bigger crowd than any football match I’ve ever played in.”
The World Cheese Awards 2023: the top 10
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1. Nidelven Blå from Gangstad Gårdsysteri, NORWAY
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2. Baliehof Houtlandse Asche Kaas from Baliehof Kaas En Zuivelboerderij Jabbeke, BELGIUM
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3. Eberle Würzig Seit 5 Generationen from Dorfkäserei Muolen, SWITZERLAND.
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4. Eleftheria Brunost from Vivanda Gourmet, INDIA
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5. Müller-Thurgau Rezent from Käserei Müller-Thurgau, SWITZERLAND
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6. Kärntnermilch Mölltaler Almkäse Selektion 50% FiT. from Kärntnermilch, AUSTRIA
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7. Michel from Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz, GERMANY.
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8. Holland Delta, 1 Year Old from Van der Heiden Kaas, NETHERLANDS
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9. Old Amsterdam Goat from Westland Kaasexport, NETHERLANDS
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10. Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Months from Nazionale Parmigiano Reggiano Rastelli Fratelli, ITALY
