A Dutch cheese has claimed top honours at one of the world’s most respected dairy competitions, winning the title of World Champion Cheese 2026 in a field of thousands of international entries.

Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, a rich, cow’s‑milk cheese produced by CONO Kaasmakers in Westbeemster, The Netherlands, was named the best cheese in the world at the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin, this week. With an outstanding score of 98.68 out of 100, the cheese topped a competitive field of 3,375 entries from 25 countries and 34 U.S. states. 

The World Championship Cheese Contest, organised by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous technical evaluations of dairy products globally. The event, held over several days, sees cheeses judged across multiple categories by an international panel of experts assessing flavour, texture, aroma and overall quality. 

A standout cheese from North Holland

Beemster Royaal Grand Cru stood out for its rich, slightly nutty flavour, firm texture and ripening crystals, small crystalline formations that develop during extended ageing and are prized by specialists for the depth and complexity they contribute to the taste. All Beemster cheeses are made from 100 % North Holland pasture milk, a factor the producer says plays a key role in the cheese’s distinctive character. 

Sjoerd Hiemstra, cheese master at CONO Kaasmakers, described the recognition as confirmation of the cooperative’s dedication to quality. “When a cheese scores so highly with an international jury, you know that everything is just right,” he said, noting that excellence must be achieved at every stage, from milk production to cheese making and ripening. 

Jerry Griep, managing director of the cooperative, highlighted the award as a tribute to the collective efforts of the farmers and cheesemakers behind the product. CONO Kaasmakers is a cooperative of dairy farmers and has been producing cheese in the Beemster polder region for generations. Griep said the world title demonstrates not only craftsmanship but also broad international appreciation for authentic, traditional cheese making. 

Close competition and global participation

The margins at the top of this year’s contest were exceptionally narrow. The runner‑up was Appenzeller Purple Label, a traditional Swiss cheese made by Lucas Meier and Käserei Kirchberg, which scored 98.45. Third place was taken by Alter Fritz, another Swiss entry, with 98.41, illustrating how tightly contested the title was among the field’s elite products. 

In addition to the world champion title, other Beemster cheeses also received gold medals at the contest, including Beemster 30+ Mature, Beemster Jalapeño and Beemster Smoked, reinforcing the cooperative’s strong overall showing. 

Contest scale and significance

The 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest drew entries from dozens of countries, with 148 classes showcasing everything from artisanal farmstead varieties to established commercial brands. U.S. producers performed well overall, with cheesemakers from Wisconsin, New York and Vermont among the states securing numerous “Best of Class” awards across different categories. 

Switzerland and the Netherlands each earned a dozen gold medals, while Australia and Spain each took home five. Producers from Austria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Japan and Sweden also achieved top marks in their respective classes. 

The contest, first held in 1957, is considered not only one of the largest cheese competitions in the world but also one of the most respected, with judges evaluating entrants using technical standards designed to reward quality and consistency in cheesemaking. 

A milestone for Dutch cheesemaking

The victory for Beemster Royaal Grand Cru marks a significant moment for Dutch cheesemaking. The Netherlands has a longstanding global reputation for producing high‑quality cheeses, with a heritage particularly associated with Gouda‑style cheeses. This latest accolade will likely boost international visibility for Beemster producers and underscore the continuing strength of European artisanal and cooperative cheese traditions on the world stage. 

For CONO Kaasmakers and its member farmers, the title of World Champion Cheese 2026 represents not just a triumph in competition, but a celebration of sustained craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the enduring appeal of traditional cheese making