This 12-month-aged Dutch Gouda earned the top honor at the World Championship Cheese Contest, outscoring 3,375 cheeses from around the globe.
The World Championship Cheese Contest is the worldβs largest technical competition for cheese, butter, yogurt, and dry dairy ingredients. Hosted biennially by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association since 1957, the event brings together thousands of dairy products from dozens of countries to be evaluated by internationally renowned experts.
A highly specialized panel of judges from across the globe evaluates entries in over 140 distinct classes. Judges use a 100-point system, deducting points based on technical attributes like flavor, body and texture, salt, color, and finish. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded to the three highest-scoring entries in each class. The absolute highest-scoring entries move on to a final round to be named the World Champion.
The competition was held March 3β5 in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and drew 3,375 entries from 25 countries and 34 U.S. states and territories.
The top title of World Champion went to Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, a 12-month-aged Gouda from the Netherlands, which scored an impressive 98.68 out of 100.

This special selection cheese was developed by the Beemster cheesemakers to honor their Appointment as a Purveyor to the Royal Court of the Netherlands - a distinction awarded only to companies that are 100 years old or older, are regionally representative and significant, and held in high regard by the citizens of Holland.
Beemster Royaal Grand Cru Gouda
2026 World Champion Cheese
$24.99 per pound
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Royaal Grand Cru is rich, nutty and regal and has a firm texture with some crystallization. It's like cheese caramel.
Food Pairings:
Fennel salami, ham, apples, grapes, dried cranberries, walnuts and jam. Serve with fruit-nut bread or crisps.
Drink Pairings:
Craft beers (IPA and Pilsner alike), full-bodied red wines (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon), white wines (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc) and cider
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