The Most Popular Cheese in France, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the cheese you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 16, 2024 06:55
Cheese enthusiasts often find themselves in a delightful dilemma, choosing among France's celebrated varieties, each boasting unique flavors and textures. This situation makes it quite practical to have an updated ranking of popular cheeses, as it aids buyers and connoisseurs in making informed decisions based on current preferences.
On this site, users have the ability to cast votes for their preferred cheeses, thereby contributing to a dynamic, user-generated ranking that reflects the collective palate. This process ensures that the list remains fresh and relevant, offering a snapshot of which cheeses are currently favored by the masses.
What Is the Most Popular Cheese in France?
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136votesThis soft cheese from Normandy is one of the most famous French cheeses, loved for its creamy texture and distinctive flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a white, bloomy rind.Camembert is a soft, creamy French cheese made from cow's milk. It has a bloomy rind and a rich, buttery flavor. The cheese is produced in small wheels with a pale ivory interior that becomes gooey as it ages. It is known for its distinct aroma and savory taste.
- Origin: Normandy, France
- Milk Type: Cow's Milk
- Texture: Soft
- Rind: Bloomy
- Flavor: Rich and buttery
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233votesAnother soft cheese from the Île-de-France region, Brie is a mild and buttery cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods. It has a pale, velvety rind and a creamy interior.Brie is a soft, creamy, and mild French cheese with a bloomy rind.
- Texture: Soft and creamy
- Flavor: Mild and buttery
- Rind: Bloomy rind with white mold
- Color: Pale yellow to ivory
- Aging: Typically aged for a few weeks, although some varieties are aged longer
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320votesThis blue cheese from the south of France is made from sheep's milk and has a sharp, tangy flavor. It is aged in limestone caves, which gives it a unique texture and flavor.Roquefort is a popular variety of blue cheese that hails from the south of France. It has a distinctively tangy and creamy flavor with a characteristically salty undertone. The cheese is made from the raw milk of the Lacaune breed of sheep that graze on the red lands of the Aveyron region. Roquefort is renowned for its unique production process that involves aging the cheese in caves to develop its signature blue veins. It has a crumbly and moist texture, which makes it easy to spread or crumble over dishes.
- Cheese texture: Crumbly and moist
- Flavor: Tangy with a salty undertone
- Aging period: Minimum of 3 months
- Milk source: Raw milk from Lacaune breed of sheep
- Region of origin: Aveyron, France
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418votesThis hard cheese from the Jura region is made from cow's milk and has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. It is often used in cooking and pairs well with a variety of wines.
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519votes
Coyau · CC BY-SA 3.0France produces a wide variety of goat cheeses, ranging from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly. These cheeses have a distinctive flavor that is often described as "tangy" or "earthy."Goat cheese, also known as Chèvre, is a popular type of cheese in France made from goat's milk. It is characterized by its distinct flavor and creamy texture. The cheese has a white, soft, and crumbly interior with a rind that can be either ash-coated or bloomy. Chèvre cheese is commonly consumed fresh, although it can also be aged for more complex flavors.- Country of Origin: France
- Milk Source: Goat
- Texture: Creamy, crumbly
- Flavor: Distinct, slightly acidic
- Rind: Ash-coated or bloomy
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614votesThis semi-hard cheese is known for its distinctive holes and nutty flavor. It is made from cow's milk and is often used in cooking, especially in quiches and fondues.Emmental is a popular cheese in France known for its distinctive large and irregular holes scattered throughout its pale yellow interior. It belongs to the Swiss-style cheese family and is made from cow's milk. It has a mild and nutty flavor with a slightly sweet undertone.
- Texture: Firm and elastic
- Aging: Minimum of 3 months, typically up to a year
- Holes: Large and irregular, evenly distributed
- Color: Pale yellow
- Milk Source: Cow's milk
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714votesThis hard cheese is similar to Comté in flavor and texture, but has a slightly stronger flavor. It is made from cow's milk and is often used in cooking, especially in Swiss dishes like fondue.Gruyère is a type of Swiss cheese that is also popular in France. It is named after the town of Gruyères in Switzerland where it originated. Gruyère has a firm and creamy texture with a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. It is often used for melting in dishes like fondue or gratins, but is also delicious when eaten on its own or paired with fruits and crusty breads. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk and aged for a minimum of three months to develop its distinctive character.
- Country of Origin: Switzerland (also popular in France)
- Milk Type: Cow's milk
- Texture: Firm and creamy
- Flavor: Nutty and slightly sweet
- Aging: Minimum of three months
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86votesThis soft cheese from the Savoie region is made from cow's milk and has a rich, creamy flavor. It is often used in dishes like tartiflette, a traditional Alpine dish made with potatoes, bacon, and onions.Reblochon is a soft, washed-rind cheese that originated in the Haute-Savoie region of France. It is made from raw cow's milk and has a creamy, buttery texture with a rich and nutty flavor. The cheese is circular in shape, with a pale yellow interior and a reddish-orange rind. Reblochon is renowned for its distinct aroma, which is earthy and slightly pungent. When cut, it reveals a pliable and slightly oozy paste. This cheese is traditionally enjoyed melted on gratins, in fondue, or simply accompanied by crusty bread and charcuterie.
- Milk Type: Cow's milk
- Rind: Washed-rind
- Texture: Soft
- Flavor: Rich, nutty
- Color: Pale yellow interior, reddish-orange rind
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98votes
Coyau · CC BY-SA 3.0This semi-hard cheese from the Savoie region has a nutty, earthy flavor and a slightly grainy texture. It is often used in cooking and pairs well with a variety of wines.Tomme de Savoie is a semi-hard, cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of France. It has a natural rustic rind and a creamy yellow interior with a mild, nutty flavor. The cheese is made using traditional methods and aged for a minimum of two months.- Type: Semi-hard
- Milk: Cow's milk
- Region: Savoie
- Rind: Natural rustic rind
- Interior: Creamy yellow
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1011votesThis soft cheese from the Alsace region has a pungent, slightly spicy flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a distinctive orange rind.Munster is a soft, washed-rind cheese made from cow's milk. It originates from the Alsace region in northeastern France. The cheese has a distinct orange rind with a creamy, pale yellow interior. It is known for its strong, pungent aroma and rich, tangy flavor. Munster is often described as having a smooth and slightly salty taste with hints of nuttiness. The cheese has a semi-soft texture that becomes softer and creamier as it ages.
- Origin: Alsace, France
- Milk Source: Cow's milk
- Texture: Semi-soft
- Aging: 3 to 12 weeks
- Rind: Washed rind with an orange hue
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Ranking factors for popular cheese
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Market SalesThe number of sales and revenue generated by a particular cheese type can indicate its popularity. A cheese with higher sales figures is likely to be more popular among consumers.
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Production VolumeThe amount of cheese produced can also reflect its popularity. A cheese made in larger quantities might suggest that there is a higher demand for it, and therefore, more popular.
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Cultural SignificanceSome cheeses may hold a special place in French culture due to their historical or geographical importance. Cheeses with strong cultural ties might be more popular, even if they are not the highest-selling.
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Awards and RecognitionCheeses that have won awards at national or international cheese competitions or have been recognized by reputable culinary organizations might indicate higher popularity among cheese lovers.
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Media CoverageThe amount of media exposure a particular cheese receives can also impact its popularity. Cheeses featured in TV shows, magazines, or social media influencers' content might become more well-known and sought after.
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Accessibility and distributionThe availability of a cheese in supermarkets, specialty food stores, and restaurants across the country can also affect its popularity. A cheese that is widely accessible is likely to be more popular than one that is more difficult to find.
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AffordabilityThe price of cheese can influence its popularity, as more affordable cheeses may be more accessible to a larger number of consumers. However, some consumers may prioritize quality over price, so this factor can vary in importance.
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VarietyThe variety of flavors, textures, and types of cheese can play a role in its popularity. Cheeses that offer a unique or distinct taste experience might be more popular among French consumers.
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Nutritional ValueSome consumers may consider the nutritional benefits of cheese when selecting their favorites. Cheeses that are lower in fat, high in protein, or offer other health benefits could potentially be more popular among health-conscious cheese lovers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cheese in France. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cheese is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2049 views
- 173 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cheese once every 24 hours. The rank of each cheese is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular cheese in france
France is widely renowned for its culinary delights, with cheese being one of its most iconic exports. The country boasts over 1,200 different types of cheese, ranging from soft and creamy to hard and pungent. In fact, cheese is so integral to French culture that it is often served after dinner as a dessert course.
When it comes to the most popular cheese in France, there are several contenders. However, the title of the most beloved cheese in the country goes to Comté. This semi-hard cheese is made from unpasteurized cow's milk and is aged for several months to develop its distinct nutty flavors.
Other popular cheeses in France include Camembert, Roquefort, Brie, and Chevre. These cheeses are enjoyed both domestically and internationally and have become a staple ingredient in many French dishes. Whether served on a cheese board, melted on a baguette, or incorporated into a savory dish, French cheese is a true delight for food lovers everywhere.
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