8 Most Expensive Cheeses in the World
As the United States informally celebrates National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day and prepares for National Cheese Day, it’s time to check out the ingredient that has become a staple in millions of households in the country: cheese. From sandwiches to pasta and desserts, cheeses can be used in any way and any form. But not all cheeses per priced equally with some costing hundreds of dollars per pound. Here are the seven most expensive cheeses in the world:
1. Jersey Blue - $40 Per Pound
Although it carries an American moniker, Jersey Blue cheese got its name from the Jersey cattle normally bred in the United Kingdom and is produced by a Swiss cheesemaker named Willi Schmid. Jersey Blue only came to light in 2006 where Schmid started making the said cheese from his farm which had already produced around 20 varieties of cheese.
Jersey Blue retains the similar aesthetic of other blue cheeses which feature blue, black, and grey veins. These veins are a result of a mold called Penicillium which is added in the production process to give the blue cheese a distinct taste and appearance. Although blue cheese has become a hit-or-miss with cheese lovers, Jersey Blue offers a different yet pricey ($40 per pound) alternative to those looking for a unique blue cheese experience.
2. Old Ford - $50 Per Pound
Manufactured by London cheese retailer Neil’s Yard Dairy, Old Ford is known for its buttery, salty, and savory flavor. It is also expensive costing $50 per pound. Old Ford, which is made with unpasteurized goat’s milk, is first made during the summer where it matures for three months and then aged for another seven months. Despite its price, Old Ford is a popular purchase in Neil’s Yard Dairy which had been selling cheeses since 1979 and is also tagged as "London's foremost cheese store.”
3. Caciocavallo Podolico - $50 Per Pound
Italy is home to some of the most popular cheeses in the world such as Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gorgonzola. It’s also home to some expensive cheeses such as the Caciocavallo Podolico costing $50 per pound. A popular cheese in the southern part of Italy, Caciocavallo Podolico is translated to horse cheese although it’s not made from actual horse milk. Instead, horses are used to carry the cheese during the curing process and also when it is transported to different towns.
This cheese is made from a local Italian cow called Podolico which is a rare breed that spends summers and winters in the Puglia mountains and pastures. Aged in natural caves, the cheese has a creamy texture while having fruity and earthy flavors.
4. Bitto - $150 Per Pound
Much like the Caciocavallo Podolico, Bitto is another rare cheese that is made with rare ingredients. This cheese, derived from the Bito river in Italy where the cheese was first produced, is made from a combination of Swedish brown Cow and Orbic goat’s milk and is aged for nearly 10 years. China is known is to sell these rare cheeses at $150 per pound, first arriving in the country after an importer from Hong Kong distributed small portions to Chinese resellers.
5. Wyke Farms Cheddar - $150 Per Pound
Wyke Farms is one of the oldest cheesemakers in Great Britain and is the maker of a local Cheddar cheese costing $150 per pound. Known for its tangy taste, Wyke Farms’ classic Cheddar cheese is infused with French truffle and gold leaf while being aged for a year to reach its full potential.
Wyke Farms has been manufacturing dairy products (cheddar cheeses and butter) since the 1860s on their family farm in Somerset, England. Some may not like the idea of adding Cheddar to a meat and cheese platter, but they may change their mind when it comes to a $150 cheese.
6. White Stilton Gold - $400 to $450 Per Pound
Any item mixed with actual gold is bound to be expensive. The holiday exclusive White Stilton Gold is made with gold liqueur and gold flecks, costing an eye-opening $400 to $450 per pound. Produced by Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire, England, this cheese has a tangy taste and creamy texture which also contains apricots, ginger, and lemon aside from its gold additions.
Long Clawson Dairy has called their luxury product “Britain’s blingiest cheese” which is 67 times more expensive than regular Stilton cheese. Making its debut in the 2011 holiday season, the White Stilton Gold has been purchased by numerous celebrities as well as a Gulf-based oil sheik.
7. Moose Cheese - $455 Per Pound
Many consider Sweden’s Moose House the makers of the best cheese in the world. Priced at $455 per pound, Moose cheese is not just known for its smooth texture and slightly acidic flavor but also its rarity. Moose aren’t normally domesticated livestock such as horses, cows, and goats, but one family-run business has managed to run a Moose farm in Sweden and has managed to take advantage of dairy products these majestic animals can produce.
Moose House develops four variants of Moose cheese (which is known to have high levels of protein) including Dried Blue Cheese, Creamy Blue, White Mold, and Feta which is sold at a popular restaurant called Algen Hus.
8. Pule - $600 Per Pound
Pule is the most expensive cheese in the world. Selling at $600 per pound, Pule is made from Zasavica donkey milk and has been recognized as a food product that significantly strengthens the immune system by the World Record Academy. Pule’s massive price is also attributed to its lengthy and costly production process. For one kilogram of cheese, farmers need to gather 25 liters of Zasavica milk.
Zasavica only roams in Montenegro and Serbia, making the donkey milk cheese difficult to access and much more difficult to purchase. Additionally, only one farm in Serbia is known to make Pule cheese wherein it raises around 140 donkeys with each Balkan donkey milked three times a day. Pule is not sold in consumer markets is only available via pre-order.
Final Thoughts
The cheeses listed above are mouth-watering as they are expensive. But this won’t likely stop some people to make a purchase even if it costs them hundreds of dollars.
