During the World Championship Cheese Contest in Wisconsin, Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru was named World Champion Cheese 2026. With a score of 98.68 out of 100 points, our Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru outperformed all 3,375 entries from cheese makers from 25 different countries. This cheese was thus crowned the best cheese in the world.

The World Championship Cheese Contest is considered the most prestigious technical cheese competition in the world. Since 1957, cheeses from dozens of countries have been judged by an international jury of experts, who blind taste the products for flavor, aroma, texture, and mouthfeel, among other criteria.

Real flavor comes from Beemster®

Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru is produced by CONO Cheese Makers in the cheese factory in the Beemsterpolder. As a small, local cooperative of dairy farmers, we have been working with our cheese makers for generations to produce the most delicious cheeses.

Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru is known for its rich, slightly nutty flavor, firm texture, and characteristic ripening crystals that develop during the long ripening process. The basis for this distinctive flavor lies in the milk: all Beemster® cheeses are made from 100% North Holland pasture milk. With care, time, and attention, our cheesemakers transform this milk into cheeses with a unique flavor.

“Everything must be just right”

According to Sjoerd Hiemstra, cheese master at CONO Kaasmakers, this recognition is confirmation of what they work towards every day.

“When a cheese scores so highly with an international jury, you know that everything is just right. From the milk and the cheese-making process to the ripening.”

Recognition for the entire cooperative

For Jerry Griep, managing director of CONO Kaasmakers, the title is a wonderful compliment to the joint efforts of livestock farmers and cheese makers.

As a local cooperative, we work together every day to produce the most delicious cheeses. We are extremely proud that a cheese from the Beemster has now been named the best cheese in the world. It also demonstrates the international interest in our cheeses. People all over the world are looking for authentic products with a distinctive flavor. This title shows that a cheese from our polder is appreciated worldwide. It's wonderful to see so many international cheese experts putting this cheese at the top of their list."

Gold also for other cheeses from the Beemster

In addition to the title of best cheese in the world, other cheeses from Beemster were also awarded gold medals: Beemster® 30+ Mature, Beemster® Jalapeño, and Beemster® Smoked. A wonderful confirmation of 125 years of craftsmanship and expertise.

Genuine appreciation for cows, cattle farmers, and cheese makers

The title of World Champion Cheese and the gold medals are a special recognition for everyone in our cooperative: from livestock farmers to cheese makers. It confirms that genuine attention to cows, livestock farmers, and cheese still makes all the difference. What makes this international accolade even more special is that it comes in the year that CONO Kaasmakers celebrates its 125th anniversary.

The best cheese in the world also comes from the Beemster.