Top Cheese Brands for Every Cheese Lover's Delight

Cheese has long been a delectable staple cherished across cultures and cuisines, adding a lush dimension to any meal. Whether you're crafting the perfect charcuterie board or simply indulging in a rich, creamy slice, choosing the right cheese brand can elevate the experience. From artisanal producers who pour passion into every wedge, to historic dairies whose names have become synonymous with quality, the variety is both vast and tantalizing. To help you navigate your culinary journey, we've compiled a list of top cheese brands that promise not to disappoint; read on to discover our curated picks.

Illustration of cheese

Best brands of cheese in 2025

Cabot

Cabot Creamery is a renowned brand owned by 800 farm families from New England and New York State, known for its high-quality cheeses and butter. Founded in 1919, Cabot has thrived through its cooperative model, where members share 100% of year-end profits based on their milk shipments. The brand gained significant recognition after winning the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in 1989 and has since won numerous national and international awards, including first place in the 2016 American Cheese Society Contest for Cabot Old School Cheddar. Despite facing financial challenges in the early 1990s, Cabot merged with Agri-Mark and expanded its production capacity, ensuring continued success. Today, Cabot is celebrated for its commitment to quality, community, and sustainability. For more insights into Cabot's cooperative heritage, visit their page on Maine's Cooperative Network.

Tillamook

Tillamook County Creamery Association is renowned for its high-quality dairy products, particularly its cheese, which is made using a traditional recipe dating back to 1909. The cooperative produces over 340 SKUs across six categories, including cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, with a focus on using milk without artificial growth hormones and no artificial flavors or coloring. Tillamook sources a significant portion of its milk from mega-dairies like Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, with over 80% of its milk supply coming from these large operations.

Kerrygold

Kerrygold, launched in October 1962, has established itself as one of the leading dairy brands globally, particularly renowned for its high-quality cheese and butter products. The brand, owned by Ornua, has seen significant growth, with over 11 million packets of Kerrygold butter and cheese sold worldwide each week in 2022. In the US market, Kerrygold butter achieved a 60% revenue increase in 2015, securing the number three position, and its Dubliner cheese became the number one specialty cheese in dollar sales. Kerrygold's success is attributed to the 'grass-fed difference,' highlighting the nutritional and taste benefits of dairy products from Irish grass-fed cows. The brand continues to expand globally, with recent launches in the Middle East and ongoing marketing campaigns to reconnect consumers with mealtime traditions.

BelGioioso

BelGioioso is a renowned producer of specialty Italian cheeses, founded in 1979 by Errico Auricchio, who brought traditional Italian artisan methods to the United States. The company operates eight manufacturing facilities and produces 28 varieties of cheese, including Provolone, Parmesan, and Mascarpone, with a significant market share, such as being the largest U.S. producer of authentic Italian Mascarpone, covering 70% of the market. BelGioioso's cheeses have won numerous awards, including "Best in Class" at the World Championship Cheese Contest, and the company was named the 2019 Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year, exporting its cheeses to 45 countries. The company uses fresh, rBST-free milk from local Wisconsin farmers and adheres to sustainable practices, recycling water and using whey for other products. BelGioioso's commitment to quality and tradition has set a standard for excellence in the industry. For more about their cheese varieties and commitment, visit their official website.

Castello

Castello, a renowned brand in the cheese industry, is celebrated for its creatively crafted and award-winning cheeses. As part of the global blue cheese market, which was valued at USD 1.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% until 2030, Castello's products, such as the Castello Traditional Danish Blue, contribute significantly to the market's growth. The brand's commitment to traditional methods and high-quality ingredients, as seen in their Extra Mature Cheddar aged for at least six months, has earned them multiple awards and a loyal consumer base. Castello's cheeses are distributed through various channels, including specialty stores and supermarkets, further enhancing their market presence. With over 120 years of experience, Castello continues to innovate and delight consumers with its artisanal cheese offerings.

Président

President, a brand under the Lactalis group, is renowned for its high-quality cheese products, particularly its feta cheese, which is experiencing growing demand in the US. Lactalis is investing $55 million to expand feta cheese production in the US, with a new 38,000ft² manufacturing line expected to be fully operational by 2027, creating 20 full-time jobs. In 2023, Lactalis generated EUR29.5 billion in revenues, with 39% of its revenue coming from cheese products. President's products are popular not only in the US but also in France, where it is one of the leading brands for fromage frais and soft cheeses. The brand's commitment to quality and expansion reflects its strong market presence and consumer preference. For more details, visit the Lactalis feta cheese production news.

Sargento

Sargento Foods is a renowned leader in the dairy industry, particularly known for its high-quality cheese products. Founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Wisconsin, the company has grown to achieve nearly $2 billion in annual sales, with a sustained annual growth rate of 3% to 7%. Sargento is celebrated for its innovations, such as vacuum sealing, shredding, and ultra-thin slicing of cheese, making it a pioneer in the specialty cheese market. The company employs over 2,500 people and maintains a strong commitment to quality, as evidenced by its certified cheese graders who ensure every product meets stringent standards. As part of the global specialty cheese market, which is projected to reach $64.18 billion by 2033, Sargento continues to be a significant player.

Grana Padano

Grana Padano is one of Italy's most renowned cheese producers, with a significant market presence; in 2020, it accounted for 57% of the total production of Italian hard cheeses, with 5.255 million wheels produced. This cheese is made from raw, semi-skimmed cow's milk and is aged for a minimum of 9 months, with some varieties maturing up to 24 months. Grana Padano is produced in 33 provinces across northern Italy, including Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna, and is protected by a European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) since 1996. The production process involves traditional methods, including the use of lysozyme to prevent late blowing, and the cheese is known for its rich, nutty flavor. With an annual production volume reaching 211,830 tons by 2023, Grana Padano remains a staple in Italian cuisine. For more information on Grana Padano cheese production, visit Food Times.

La Vache qui rit

La Vache qui rit, or The Laughing Cow, is a renowned brand of processed cheese products that has been a global favorite since its inception in 1921 by Fromageries Bel in Lons-le-Saunier, France. This creamy, spreadable cheese is made from a blend of cream, milk, and aged cheeses like Comte, and is available in various flavors, including original, light, and ultra-light versions with fat percentages such as 7% and 3%. The brand is celebrated for its iconic red-eared cow logo and its widespread availability in 136 countries, with over four billion portions consumed annually. The Laughing Cow is known for its versatility and long shelf life due to pasteurization, allowing it to remain unrefrigerated for a limited time. Its popularity has endured for over a century, making it one of the most consumed cheeses worldwide. For more about its rich history, visit The Laughing Cow's official story page.

Murray's Cheese

Murray's Cheese, founded in 1940, is a renowned institution in the cheese industry, celebrated for its extensive selection of over 200 cheeses sourced from various milks, including goat, buffalo, cow, and sheep. It has been named the Best Cheese Shop in New York by Time Out New York and the Best Cheese Shop in the World by Forbes.com and msnbc.com. With an estimated annual revenue of $35 million and 176 employees, Murray's Cheese continues to impact the dairy market significantly, supplying cheese to 600 restaurant clients across all 50 states and operating 38 "cut and wrap" outposts in Kroger supermarkets. Discover more about their extensive selection of cheeses on their website.