Top Gruyère Brands for Creamy, Nutty Bliss

When it comes to gruyere cheese, aficionados often look for quality and distinct flavors that set the best brands apart. Gruyere, a hard cheese originating from Switzerland, is known for its creamy texture and nutty taste, making it a favorite ingredient in fondue and various culinary dishes worldwide. The cheese market is flooded with many options, but discerning cheese lovers often tend to gravitate towards brands that have upheld traditional Swiss methods while innovating to enhance flavor complexity. If you're eager to discover which brands stand out in the world of gruyere cheese, we invite you to explore our recommendations below.

Illustration of gruyere

Best brands of gruyere in 2025

Le Gruyère AOP

Le Gruyere AOP is renowned as one of the best producers of Gruyere cheese, boasting over 900 years of history and a protected production method in western Switzerland. This raw cow's milk cheese, made with precision and expertise, saw a total production of 32,739.5 tonnes in 2022, with local Swiss consumers purchasing a record 17,840 tonnes. The cheese is aged for more than 5 months, developing a complex flavor profile, and its quality is maintained through strict production standards, including the prohibition of milking robots to prevent quality issues. Despite market challenges, Le Gruyere AOP has managed to limit the impact of downturns, keeping sales at pre-Covid levels and ensuring milk producers earn a decent wage, with around 94 centimes paid per kilo of milk processed.

Swiss Knight

Swiss Knight, a renowned brand under the Emmi group, is one of the top producers of Le Gruyere AOP, a cheese that has been crafted since the 12th century. In 2022, despite a challenging market, Le Gruyere AOP saw a total production of 32,740 tonnes, with Swiss Knight contributing to this legacy by adhering to stringent AOP specifications. The cheese is produced in small villages across a designated area, with milk from cows grazing at high altitudes. The production process involves multiple daily batches, ensuring high quality and consistency. Swiss Knight's commitment to quality is reflected in the payment of quality bonuses, which reached around 5.8 million Swiss francs in recent years. For more details, visit Swiss Knight's Gruyere cheese page.

Emmi

Emmi, as part of the Emmi Group, is renowned for producing high-quality Gruyere cheese, with its Le Gruyere slowly maturing in cave-like cellars for over 5 months. In 2020, despite global turmoil, Emmi generated net sales of CHF 3,706.1 million, showcasing a 6.1% growth, with organic growth of 1.9% and a significant increase in sales of Swiss specialty cheeses like Gruyere. Emmi's commitment to quality is evident in its rBST-free, Non-GMO, and naturally gluten-free products. The brand's strong performance in key European markets, particularly with products like Emmi Caffe Latte and Kaltbach, underscores its market adaptability and robust business model. Emmi's acquisitions have also strengthened its position in niche markets, further solidifying its reputation as a premium dairy producer. For more details on their Gruyere cheese, visit Emmi Gruyere.

Roth

Roth, a renowned brand under Emmi Roth USA Inc., is celebrated for its high-quality Gruyere cheese, particularly the Grand Cru variety, which is handcrafted in Wisconsin using fresh, local milk from family-owned dairy farmers within a 60-mile radius. This cheese boasts light floral notes, nutty undertones, and a hint of fruitiness, making it perfect for melting over potatoes, adding to sandwiches, or topping classic onion soup. Roth's Grand Cru has been aged for over 4 months in their cellars and has garnered numerous awards, including the World Champion title at the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest. The cheese is rBST-free and naturally gluten-free, with each 1oz serving containing 110 calories, 8g of fat, and 8g of protein. With over 200 awards, Roth's commitment to quality is evident in every product.

Mifroma

Mifroma, a Swiss specialist in dairy products, boasts over 50 years of expertise in maturing and refining cheeses, particularly renowned for its high-quality Gruyere. Founded in 1964, Mifroma has evolved from a Gruyere ripener to a global distributor, now present in over 30 countries and employing 240 people. The company is committed to traditional artisanal production methods, using fresh, unpasteurized milk from local farms, and has introduced innovations such as the "best before" date on packaging and resealable packaging. Mifroma's Gruyere is matured in natural sandstone caves for a minimum of 11 months, resulting in a premium gourmet product. The company's dedication to quality and tradition has made it a leading producer of Le Gruyere AOP.

Kaltbach

Kaltbach, a renowned brand under the Emmi Group, is esteemed for its exceptional production of Gruyere AOP, leveraging a 22 million-year-old cave near Lucerne, Switzerland, to age its cheeses. The Kaltbach cave, spanning over 2.3 km, provides ideal conditions with a stable 50°F and 96% humidity, allowing for the maturation of up to 150,000 cheese wheels. Since 1993, Emmi has utilized this natural environment to produce high-quality cheeses, including Le Gruyere AOP, which is aged for a minimum of one year using raw cow's milk and animal rennet. Kaltbach cheeses are known for their rich, nutty flavors and smooth textures, with about 70% of the production exported globally. The brand is also committed to sustainability, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2027 and achieve "netZERO" by 2050.

Alpage

Alpage Gruyere AOP is renowned for its exceptional quality, with a significant portion of its production meeting the highest standards. In 2023, the percentage of IB (Indice de Bien-etre) for Alpage Gruyere AOP was 8.67%, while 91.32% achieved an IA (Indice de Aptitude) score, with 62.40% scoring 19 points or more, highlighting the excellence in dairy production and cheese processing. The brand's commitment to traditional methods and high-quality milk ensures a diverse range of flavors. Despite market challenges, Alpage Gruyere AOP maintained strong consumption figures, particularly in Switzerland, where it hit record levels in 2022. The brand's adherence to strict quality controls, such as forbidding the use of milking robots to prevent rancid cheese, further underscores its dedication to quality. For more details, visit their website.

Reserve Jean Perrin

The Reserve Jean Perrin brand is renowned for its exceptional production of Gruyere, among other high-quality cheeses, such as Morbier and Comte. Established in 1965 by Jean Perrin and his wife in the heart of the Jura Massif, the dairy has maintained a strong commitment to tradition, quality, and innovation. Their cheeses, including Gruyere, are produced with meticulous attention to detail and a focus on transmitting expertise through generations. The company's organic range is certified by Ecocert, ensuring high standards in production. With a legacy of over 50 years, Reserve Jean Perrin has established itself as a benchmark in the cheese industry. For more information, explore their official website.

Cremo

Cremo SA, as part of the Co-operative Laiterie de Gruyeres, plays a significant role in the production of high-quality Gruyere AOP. Since 1977, under the chairmanship of Jean Savary, the dairy has undergone significant extensions and modernizations, increasing the milk volume used for production to 4 million litres. By 2000, La Maison du Gruyere was opened, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and a sensory, interactive exhibition. Today, the cooperative processes over 6 million litres of milk from 30 to 35 producers, producing 48 wheels of Gruyere AOP per day. The cellars can accommodate up to 7,000 wheels, ensuring a consistent and high-quality output.

Fromagerie des Franches-Montagnes

Fromagerie des Franches-Montagnes SA is a renowned producer of high-quality cheeses, including the esteemed Gruyere AOP, processed from around 4 million kg of milk annually from 20 local producers. Inaugurated in April 2019, the modern cheese dairy in Le Noirmont meets the latest quality and hygiene standards, with a storage capacity of 100 tonnes and automated cheese care using two robots. The fromagerie produces six types of cheese, including Tete de Moine and four semi-hard cheese specialties. This facility ensures the continuation of traditional cheese-making while adhering to stringent AOP specifications. For those interested in experiencing their craftsmanship firsthand, the fromagerie offers a visitor center and a shop featuring regional products.