Cheese is among the most popular foods worldwide. We all love food with a lot of cheese, and who doesn’t like cheese? It’s delicious, and it can be used in many different ways in various cuisines.
While different types of cheese are enjoyed all across the globe, some cheeses are more expensive than others since the cost of milk has a direct impact on how much cheese costs. The milk of livestock that are challenging for farmers to raise, such as water buffalos or yaks, is also used to make a range of upscale cheeses.
It takes a long time and a complex process to turn milk into cheese. But have you ever wondered just how expensive a piece of cheese could be? Well, we’re going to look at some of the most pricey cheese options in the world and find out why it costs so much.
Pule Donkey Cheese
The most expensive cheese is pule donkey cheese, which hails from Serbia.
Made from the milk of Balkan donkeys raised on a special farm in the mountains of Serbia, this artisanal cheese can cost up to $600/pound! There are various reasons for its high cost, including:
- Donkey breeding is difficult and time-consuming, requiring specialized equipment and a lot of trial and error to find the right balance.
- They rarely produce milk, and when they do, it is barely a liter/per day.
- They are endangered species.
But what makes pule donkey cheese so special? It has a rich, creamy flavor due to the low quantities of casein, a kind of protein that serves as a binder in cheese production. It has a taste of rich manchego, and for some, it is slightly tangy and earthy at the same time.
Donkey milk is enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fats, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, so pule donkey cheese also has high omega-3 and vitamin E levels, making it a great choice for anyone looking for nutritious, high-quality cheese. So if you’re looking to splurge on something truly special, be sure to try pule donkey cheese!
Moose Cheese
Due to its rare and challenging origins, moose cheese is another expensive option for those looking for a unique and delicious treat.
This artisanal cheese is made from milk produced by a small herd of 3 moose raised in Sweden, which requires gentle handling and a comfortable environment. Moreover, they are particularly challenging to milk and barely produce about 300 kg of cheese annually.
With a price tag of around $500/pound, moose cheese is also one of the most expensive cheese options. Only the Elk House in the Swedish region of Bjurholm produces and sells it. Rind-style, blue, and feta-style are the 3 types of cheeses produced by the 3 moose at the Elk House. Because these moose have a lactating period from May to September, the cheese likewise is only available for a brief period.
White Stilton Gold
Produced by British cheesemakers, this specialty cheese uses white stilton cheese and is infused with champagne and gold leaf.
It is a complex and distinctive cheese; its luxurious composition makes it a truly special treat for cheese lovers. White stilton gold has a distinctively tangy flavor from the addition of gold liqueur, accentuating the creamy layers that run through its base. This expensive cheese is produced with several fruit flavors, including lemon, apricot, and ginger, and has a unique crumbly texture.
With the price of $420/pound, white stilton gold is also among the most expensive cheeses. The white stilton gold cheese, made from cow’s milk, receives its high price from the addition of gold cinnamon schnapps and from the pricey gold flakes that glitter on its top. With its rich and tangy taste, white stilton gold is the perfect choice for special occasions or when you’re looking to treat yourself to something truly luxurious. So if you’re looking for an extra special cheese experience, be sure to try white stilton gold!
Wyke Farms Cheddar
Another expensive and sought-after cheese option is Wyke Farms cheddar. Wyke Farms is a phenomenally independent cheese producer in the UK and exports it internationally.
Made from high-quality cow’s milk, this artisanal cheese is prized for its complex flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. With a ripening period of 12 months, this cheese matures in wooden boxes under the close supervision of cheesemakers. Even though the formula is said to be securely kept away on the farm, we do know that it contains French truffles and gold leaves, which give the cheese its rich and acidic flavor.
With a price tag of around $200/pound, Wyke Farms cheddar is a luxurious and indulgent cheese choice. Whether you’re looking for a special treat to enjoy on your own, or you’re looking for a decadent cheese to serve at a party or other special event, Wyke Farms cheddar is sure to delight your taste buds. So if you’re looking for a truly special cheese experience, be sure to try Wyke Farms cheddar!
Bitto Storico
If you’re looking for an extra special and luxury cheese option, look no further than Bitto Storico, which is around $150/pound.
Since a wheel of this luxury cheese might take as long as ten years to mature, it is pricey. This rare and exquisite cheese is produced in the Italian Alps and is made from a traditional recipe that dates back to 1800. The name Bitto Storico translates to ‘historic cheese,’ as it has been produced continuously for over 200 years, making it one of the oldest cheeses in the world.
With its complex sweet, delicate flavor profile and velvety texture, Bitto Storico is one of the world’s most sought-after and expensive cheeses. It is made from unpasteurized goat’s and cow’s milk that has been carefully tended to by local farmers in the Italian Alps. For a truly luxurious cheese experience, try Bitto Storico today!
Final Words
Globally, expensive cheese is a sophisticated delicacy. Every natural cheese has a unique pate, rind, and flavor that makes it enticing and offers people’s palates a novel experience.
Whether you’re looking for a decadent cheese to enjoy as a treat on your own or you want to serve an upscale cheese at a special event, plenty of options are sure to delight your taste buds. So if you’re looking for the most luxurious and exclusive cheese, try the ones listed above.
