Cheese lover? Here are 9 of Europe’s best destinations for living your dairy dream

Europe is a cheese lover’s dream. You may simply spend your days nibbling across the continent, from Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, England, to Switzerland’s gorgeous Emmental valley.

Most of the most well-known varieties on this planet originate from right here. However in the event you solely have time for one particular tacky journey, fairly than a complete dairy tour, we’ve received you lined.

From bustling cheese markets and engaging museums to hands-on cheese-making workshops, listed below are 9 of Europe’s prime cheese locations.

Roquefort, France

It’s no shock that this checklist begins in France, and the city of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon within the south is the place one of many world’s most well-known blue cheeses is produced. 

Made out of sheep’s milk and characterised by its darkish blue-green veins, you may tour the cellars the place the massive wheels of this pungent cheese are matured and see precisely the way it’s made earlier than tasting the completed product.

Gruyères, Switzerland

This medieval city is a picturesque mixture of cobbled streets and luxurious meadows, however its foremost declare to fame is that it’s been the house of exhausting, nutty Gruyère cheese since a minimum of the twelfth century. 

Go to the La Maison du Gruyère manufacturing facility to study its historical past and see the way it’s made, then get your fill of cheese-laden dishes on the on-site restaurant.

Parma, Italy

Situated within the gastronomic powerhouse of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, one in every of Parma’s most well-known exports is Parmigiano Reggiano, higher generally known as Parmesan cheese. 

Manufacturing facility excursions will information you thru the method of constructing this tough, aged and flavour-rich cheese. Restaurant menus are bursting with it, and there’s even a complete museum devoted to this ‘King of Cheeses’.

Gouda, Netherlands

Katrin Leinfellner / Unsplash
GoudaKatrin Leinfellner / Unsplash

Well-known for its eponymous cheese, Gouda is a part of Holland’s Cheese Valley – a area filled with actions for cheese lovers. 

There’s all the things from museums the place you may uncover how the cheese is produced and ripened, to cheese-related monuments, cheese occasions and even a former cheese weighing home to discover. 

Don’t miss the energetic conventional cheese markets bustling with merchants, the place you may style loads of samples and select your favourites to take house.

Emmental, Switzerland

Switzerland’s idyllic Emmental valley is famend for its rolling hillsides and Alpine views, in addition to for being the house of Emmental cheese. 

Identified in lots of components of the world merely as Swiss cheese, you may go to the Emmental Present Dairy to seek out out precisely the way it’s made – and why it has so many holes! There’s additionally the prospect to strive making your individual cheese beneath the steerage of an expert, plus take pleasure in slightly tasting, too.

Pag, Croatia

Croatia’s rugged Pag island is thought for its lunar-looking panorama and distinctive native cheese. A must-visit for anybody who believes the moon is manufactured from cheese. 

Made completely on Pag is a cheese that makes use of milk from sheep ate up fragrant native vegetation equivalent to sage, which is of course lined in sea salt by the robust winds. This offers the cheese a particular sharp and salty flavour. 

Tour Pag’s Gligora Cheese Manufacturing facility to seek out out extra in regards to the cheese and the way it’s made, in addition to to style some samples.

Streefkerk, Netherlands

For a hands-on cheese expertise, the Dutch city of Streefkerk outdoors Rotterdam ought to undoubtedly be in your itinerary. Right here you may go to Booij Kaasmakers, a family-run farm the place they’ve been making artisan cheese for over 300 years. 

Not solely can you're taking a tour and style a choice of their creations, you can even be part of a workshop and have a go at making some recent cheese your self. An opportunity to be taught from the consultants!

Asturias, Spain

The Asturias area on the northern coast of Spain is called the País de Quesos, or ‘land of cheeses’. It produces over 50 totally different varieties, together with the smoky Gamonéu and powerful and spicy blue Cabrales. 

You'll be able to comply with the Cabrales Cheese Route to go to dairy farmers, discover the fragrant limestone cheese caves in Asiego the place the cheeses are saved and matured, and go to cheese factories for these all-important tastings.

Camembert, France

Maggie Jaszowska / Unsplash
CamembertMaggie Jaszowska / Unsplash

Camembert within the Normandy area of northern France is one other world-renowned vacation spot for cheese lovers, due to the smooth and creamy cheese to which it provides its identify. 

Right here, you may discover the gorgeous countryside the place the cows graze and tour the Maison du Camembert to see how this widespread cheese is crafted – and revel in a tasting after all. Alternatively, go to Durand Cheesemonger – the final dairy farm nonetheless making camembert utilizing conventional strategies.

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