Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru named World’s Best Cheese
During the World Championship Cheese Contest in Wisconsin, Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru has been named World Champion Cheese 2026. With a score of 98.68 out of 100 points, CONO Kaasmakers’ Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru surpassed 3,375 cheeses from 25 countries, earning the title of best cheese in the world.
The World Championship Cheese Contest is widely regarded as the most prestigious technical cheese competition in the world. Since 1957, cheeses from dozens of countries have been evaluated by an international jury of experts, who judge the entries blind on criteria including flavor, aroma, texture and mouthfeel.
True flavor comes from the Beemster
Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru is produced by CONO Kaasmakers in its cheese dairy located in the Beemster polder in the Netherlands. CONO is a small, local cooperative of dairy farmers who have been working together with their cheesemakers for generations to create the finest cheeses.
Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru is known for its rich, slightly nutty flavor, firm texture and the distinctive ripening crystals that develop during its long maturation. The foundation of this pronounced flavor lies in the milk: all Beemster® cheeses are made from 100% North Holland pasture milk. With care, time and attention, this milk is crafted into cheeses with a unique and distinctive taste.
“Everything has to be right”
According to Sjoerd Hiemstra, Master Cheesemaker at CONO Kaasmakers, the recognition confirms what the cooperative works on every day.
“When a cheese scores this high with an international jury, you know everything has to be right. From the milk and the cheesemaking process to the maturation.”
Recognition for the entire cooperative
For Jerry Griep, CEO of CONO Kaasmakers, the title is a great compliment to the joint effort of the cooperative’s farmers and cheesemakers.
“As a local cooperative, we work together every day to create the finest cheeses. To see a cheese from the Beemster named the best cheese in the world makes us incredibly proud. It also shows the growing international interest in our cheeses. Around the world, people are looking for authentic products with a distinctive flavor. This title proves that a cheese from our polder is appreciated worldwide. It is wonderful to see so many international cheese experts place this cheese at the very top.”
Gold medals for other cheeses from the Beemster
In addition to the World Champion title, several other cheeses from the Beemster were also awarded gold medals at the competition: Beemsterlite 30+ Medium, Beemster® Jalapeño and Beemster® Smoked. Another confirmation of 125 years of cheesemaking expertise.
Recognition for cow, farmer and cheesemaker
The World Champion Cheese title and the gold medals are a special recognition for everyone within the cooperative — from dairy farmer to cheesemaker. It confirms that genuine care for the cow, the farmer and the cheese continues to make the difference.
This international recognition is especially meaningful as CONO Kaasmakers celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.
Even the best cheese in the world comes from the Beemster.
