We’re big cheese people, and there are probably more than a few wedges we’ve casually declared “the best in the world.” Some Trader Joe’s craft cheeses could make the cut, not to mention some finds from Aldi—and even more niche favorites like Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue or the famous Humboldt Fog from California.

But recently, the best cheese in the world was officially defined for 2025—and it doesn’t fail from America.

Instead, it comes from one of the true homelands of cheesemaking: Switzerland. That said, if you’re a cheese connoisseur in the U.S., there’s good news: one American-made variety did crack the global top 10—and it’s one you’ll definitely want to know about.

The World Cheese Awards Name the Top Cheeses of 2025

On Nov. 13, the 37th annual World Cheese Awards took place in Bern, Switzerland.

This year’s competition saw a record-breaking 5,244 cheeses entered from 26 different countries. A panel of 265 international experts first narrowed them down to 110 “Super Gold” winners. From there, the Super Jury selected the top 14, and ultimately crowned the single best cheese in the world.

The winner was the 18-month Gruyère AOP Vorderfultigen Spezial.

This award-winning Swiss cheese is produced by Bergkäserei Vorderfultigen, a small creamery in Hinterfultigen, Switzerland. Le Gruyère AOP is already legendary among Alpine cheeses—made from Swiss cows’ milk and known for its strong, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor that deepens with age.

So what gives this cheese “best in the world” status? The judges were blown away by its “delicate” crystalline texture and incredible umami depth.

“Maybe a few people recognize this cheese, but what you know about this cheese—it being brothy and meaty—imagine all that that you’ve had before, and then dialed up to 13,” shared Super Jury member Perry Wakeman.

This isn’t the first time Le Gruyère AOP has taken home the title—it’s actually won six times throughout the award’s history. But it wasn’t the only standout this year, either. The top ranks also featured renowned cheeses from France, Spain, the Netherlands, and even one from the United States.

U.S. Murray’s Cheese Places 7th in the World

One American-made cheese also made an outstanding showing this year, taking seventh place overall: Stockinghall Cheddar, produced by Murray’s Cheese.

This pasteurized cow’s milk Cheddar is made using a cloth-bound process, then aged for at least 12 months in Murray’s cheese caves. The result is a firm, slightly crumbly cheese with a flavor that’s both complex and surprising. Murray’s describes it as having “meaty bacon and sour cream flavors with surprising hints of pineapple.”

Stockinghall isn’t new to acclaim, either. It won “Best of Show” at the 2019 American Cheese Society Competition, solidifying its reputation as one of the finest Cheddars made in the U.S. Better yet, it’s available to order online and ship nationwide—at least, that is, when it’s not sold out.

So while Switzerland’s world-champion cheese might have taken gold, we’re happy to know that one of the official best cheeses on the planet can be found a lot closer to home.

Read the original article on Allrecipes