The Most Popular Cheese in Germany, Ranked

Choose the cheese you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:33
Cheese enthusiasts often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available, especially in a country known for its diverse cheese production like Germany. Determining which cheese stands out in popularity can guide new buyers and connoisseurs alike toward community-approved varieties. This site provides a dynamic listing of Germany's favorite cheeses as voted by users. By participating, you help shape a clear, crowd-sourced ranking that reflects current tastes and preferences across an array of exquisite cheeses. Your votes contribute to a continually updated guide that benefits everyone from casual snackers to serious cheese aficionados.

What Is the Most Popular Cheese in Germany?

  1. 1
    56
    votes
    Emmental is a Swiss cheese that is very popular in Germany due to its mild, nutty taste and versatility in cooking. It is often used in fondues, sandwiches, and salads.
    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
  2. 2
    30
    votes
    Gouda is a Dutch cheese that is also very popular in Germany. It has a creamy texture and a mild, nutty taste. Gouda is often used in sandwiches and as a snack.
    Gouda is a semi-hard cheese originating from the Netherlands. It is named after the city of Gouda, where it was traditionally traded in the 17th century. Gouda cheese is renowned for its smooth and creamy texture, as well as its rich and buttery flavor.
    • Origin: Netherlands
    • Type: Semi-hard
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Rich and buttery
    • Aging: Varies from few weeks to several years
  3. 3
    17
    votes
    Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese that originated in France. It is very popular in Germany and is often eaten as a snack or used in cooking.
    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
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    Brie is another soft, creamy cheese that is popular in Germany. It has a mild, earthy taste and is often served as an appetizer or used in sandwiches.
    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
  5. 5
    20
    votes
    Tilsit is a semi-hard, yellow cheese that is very popular in Germany. It has a tangy, nutty taste and is often used in sandwiches and salads.
    Tilsit is a semi-hard cheese originating from the town of Tilsit, which is now part of modern-day Russia. It is a popular cheese in Germany and is known for its distinctive flavor and texture.
    • Type: Semi-hard
    • Milk: Cow's milk
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Slightly tangy and nutty
    • Color: Pale yellow
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    Edam is a Dutch cheese that is similar in taste and texture to Gouda. It is popular in Germany and is often used in sandwiches and as a snack.
    Edam is a semi-hard cheese that originates from the Netherlands but is also popular in Germany. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland. The cheese has a pale yellow color and a compact, firm texture. Edam has a mild, slightly salty flavor with a hint of sweetness and nuttiness. It is often consumed young when it has a smooth and creamy consistency. As it ages, it becomes harder and develops a more pronounced flavor. The cheese is typically covered in a red wax coating, which helps to preserve its freshness and adds to its visual appeal.
    • Origin: Netherlands
    • Color: Pale yellow
    • Texture: Compact and firm
    • Flavor: Mild, slightly salty with a hint of sweetness and nuttiness
    • Consistency: Smooth and creamy when young, harder when aged
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    Limburger is a soft, pungent cheese that is popular in Germany. It has a strong, spicy taste and is often used in sandwiches and as a snack.
    Limburger is a type of cheese that originated in Germany. It is a soft, creamy, and pungent cheese with a grayish-yellow rind that becomes reddish-brown with age. The interior is soft and ivory-colored, becoming creamier as it ripens. The flavor of Limburger is strong, pungent, and tangy, with hints of ammonia and earthy notes.
    • Country of Origin: Germany
    • Type: Soft cheese
    • Texture: Creamy and soft
    • Rind: Grayish-yellow, becoming reddish-brown with age
    • Interior: Soft and ivory-colored, becoming creamier with ripening
  8. 8
    2
    votes
    Quark is a creamy, fresh cheese that is very popular in Germany. It has a mild, tangy taste and is often used in desserts and as a spread.
    Quark is a soft, fresh cheese that is popular in Germany. It is not aged or ripened like most cheeses, but rather made by curdling soured milk. Quark has a creamy and slightly tangy taste with a smooth texture. It is commonly used as a spread, in baking, or as an ingredient in various dishes.
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Mild and slightly tangy
    • Aging: Not aged or ripened
    • Ingredients: Soured milk or buttermilk
    • Fat content: Varies from low-fat to full-fat
  9. 9
    3
    votes
    Harzer is a low-fat, sour-tasting cheese that is popular in Germany. It is often eaten as a snack or used in salads.
    Harzer is a popular type of German cheese known for its distinctive smell and taste. It is a sour milk cheese that originated in the Harz Mountains of Germany.
    • Cheese type: Soft, sour milk cheese
    • Appearance: Small, round, and flat with a yellowish to light-brown rind
    • Texture: Firm and crumbly
    • Smell: Strong and pungent
    • Taste: Sour and tangy
  10. 10
    10
    votes
    Bergkäse is a hard, Alpine cheese that is popular in Germany. It has a nutty, slightly sweet taste and is often used in cooking and as a snack.
    Bergkäse, also known as mountain cheese, is a traditional cheese made in Germany. It is named after the regions where it is produced, typically in the mountainous areas of the Alps. Bergkäse has a distinctive flavor and texture due to the unique combination of high-quality milk from cows grazing on alpine pastures and traditional cheese-making techniques. It is a popular choice among cheese lovers in Germany and abroad.
    • Milk Type: Cow's milk
    • Texture: Firm and dense
    • Flavor: Rich, nutty, and slightly savory
    • Aging: Typically aged for at least three months
    • Color: Pale to golden yellow

Missing your favorite cheese?

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Ranking factors for popular cheese

  1. Production volume
    Identify the cheese types that are produced in high volumes within Germany, which could indicate their popularity among the local population.
  2. Traditional preferences
    Consider the historical and cultural significance of certain types of cheese in Germany, as people may have a stronger preference for traditional or locally produced cheeses.
  3. Taste preferences
    Take into account the tastes and flavors that Germans generally prefer in their cheese, which can vary by region or demographics.
  4. Affordability and availability
    Determine which cheeses are not only preferred by consumers but are also affordable and widely available across Germany.
  5. Export/import data
    Look at the types and volumes of cheese that Germany exports and imports, which can provide insights into popular cheeses within the country.
  6. Media and culinary influences
    Consider the role of media and culinary works like cooking shows, recipes, or restaurant menus in promoting specific types of cheese among the German population.
  7. Health and dietary trends
    Account for the impact of current health and dietary trends in Germany, as they may influence the popularity of certain types of cheese, such as low-fat or vegan options.
  8. Seasonal variations
    Keep in mind that some cheeses may be more popular during specific times of the year, such as cheese used in traditional dishes during holidays or festivals.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cheese in Germany. 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

  • 1582 views
  • 170 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

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 germany

Germany is a country that is well-known for its love of cheese. Germans consume an average of 24 pounds of cheese per person every year, making them one of the largest cheese-consuming nations in the world. With such a passion for cheese, it's no surprise that there are countless varieties of cheese available in Germany, each with its unique taste and character. When it comes to the most popular cheese in Germany, it's hard to pick just one. However, there are a few types that stand out above the rest. Some of the most popular cheeses in Germany include Emmental, Gouda, Camembert, Brie, and the classic German cheese, Quark. Each of these cheeses has its distinct taste and texture, and they are all beloved by Germans across the country. Whether you're a cheese lover or just curious about German cuisine, exploring the world of German cheese is an adventure worth taking. From the tangy taste of Emmental to the creamy goodness of Camembert, there's a cheese out there for everyone. So, the next time you're in Germany, be sure to try some of the local cheeses and see which one is your favorite.

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