9 Best-Selling Types Of Cheese In The World in 2025

Cheese is more than just a food—it’s a global love language. From creamy slices on sandwiches to crumbly toppings on pasta, cheese is cherished for its flavor, versatility, and cultural identity.

Whether you’re a casual consumer searching for your next grocery favorite or a foodie exploring global tastes, understanding the best-selling types of cheese in the world can deepen your appreciation and upgrade your kitchen.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most popular cheeses sold worldwide, explain why they’re so beloved, and share some interesting tidbits to enhance your cheese knowledge—without overwhelming jargon.

Let’s dive into the world’s most famous cheeses and discover why they’ve earned their top spots.

What Are The best-known types Of Cheese?

There are different types of cheese, which differ from each other in the way they are made or the time they remain in maturation. Depending on the maturation process, they can be fresh or mature cheeses. The different textures depend on the type of curing, a cured cheese usually has a rather hard texture, especially if the type of milk is from sheep, and those with a soft or creamier texture are usually made with cow’s milk, which is generally gentler.

For example, fresh cheeses have a very soft texture, while blue cheeses have a semi-soft texture or a semi-hard or hard texture that is perfect for grating or au gratin. There are more than 2,000 varieties of cheese around the world, but the ones we name below are the best known:

1. Mozzarella – The Pizza Cheese King

🔎 Overview

It is typical of Italian cuisine and is usually made with buffalo milk. This cheese is quite fatty and is used both fresh (in salads) and soft or dry. Its best-known use is for the manufacture of pizzas, where it is used gratin to a gratin or placed on the dough before it is baked. It has fewer flavors compared to other cheeses, but its soft texture makes it an ideal ingredient to combine in many cooking recipes.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• The main cheese used on pizza, one of the world’s most popular foods

• Also a staple in Italian-American dishes

• Low-moisture versions have a long shelf life, ideal for commercial use

🍽 Popular Uses

• Pizza topping (fresh or shredded)

• Caprese salad

• Lasagna

• Stuffed meats or vegetables

🧠 Fun Fact

Over 75% of mozzarella produced globally goes to the pizza industry.

2. Cheddar – The Global Staple

Overview

Originating from England, Cheddar is easily one of the most consumed cheeses worldwide. It ranges from mild and creamy to aged and sharp, making it ideal for sandwiches, burgers, macaroni, and even snacking.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Mass-produced and widely distributed

• Affordable and familiar flavor profile

• Easily melts and pairs with many dishes

• Available in various maturities (mild, medium, sharp, extra sharp)

🍽 Popular Uses

• Grilled cheese sandwiches

• Cheeseburgers

• Mac and cheese

• Cheese boards (especially aged cheddar)

🧠 Fun Fact

In the U.S. alone, Cheddar accounts for nearly one-third of total cheese sales.

3. Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano) – The Flavor Bomb

🔎 Overview

It is one of the most famous Italian cheeses consumed all over the world; it has a hard and granular consistency. It is mainly served grated on top of other foods and can be eaten both raw and au gratin. Where it acquires more color and flavor. It is made with pasteurized cow’s milk and is one of the cheeses with the highest percentage of calcium.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Universally used in pasta dishes, soups, and risottos

• Aged for 12–36 months, adding deep flavor

• Often grated, so a little goes a long way

🍽 Popular Uses

• Sprinkled on pasta or Caesar salad

• Shaved on risottos or soups

• Eaten as chunks with wine or balsamic vinegar

🧠 Fun Fact

Authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano must be aged at least 12 months and produced in specific Italian provinces to carry the name.

4. Cream Cheese – The Spreadable Favorite

🔎 Overview

Soft, mild, and slightly tangy, cream cheese became a breakfast essential thanks to its perfect match with bagels and its role in baking.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Ubiquitous in North America and Europe

• Base for many spreads and frostings

• Extremely versatile—used in both sweet and savory recipes

🍽 Popular Uses

• Bagels with smoked salmon

• Cheesecakes

• Dips and spreads

• Sushi rolls (especially in fusion cuisine)

🧠 Fun Fact

The most famous brand, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, actually originated in New York—not Philadelphia.

5. Gouda – The Dutch Crowd-Pleaser

🔎 Overview

Hailing from the Netherlands, Gouda is smooth, mild, and comes in both young (sweet and creamy) and aged (nutty and firm) varieties.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Exported to over 130 countries

• Loved for its rich taste and easy melting

• Affordable and accessible worldwide

🍽 Popular Uses

• Grilled sandwiches

• Cheese platters

• Melted on burgers or in fondue

🧠 Fun Fact

Gouda accounts for over 50% of Dutch cheese production.

6. Brie – The Soft-Ripened Classic

🔎 Overview

A soft French cheese with a bloomy white rind, Brie is buttery, delicate, and slightly earthy.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Elegant and commonly used in appetizers

• Recognizable texture and rind

• Mass-produced versions available at affordable prices

🍽 Popular Uses

• Baked Brie with jam and nuts

• Sliced in sandwiches

• Served with fruit or crackers on a cheese board

🧠 Fun Fact

Brie is often called the “Queen of Cheeses” in France.

7. Blue Cheese – The Bold Statement

🔎 Overview

Blue cheese (such as Saint Agur) can be made with cow’s, sheep’s, or goat’s milk. It owes its color (which varies between blue and greenish-gray) to the presence of molds derived from a fungus. It has a strong smell and flavor, and its texture is creamy, so it is used as a spread or to make sauces, which combine very well with meat.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Popular in both high-end cuisine and salad bars

• Strong niche following worldwide

• Aging enhances its flavor depth

🍽 Popular Uses

• Crumbled in salads (like wedge salads)

• Melted in creamy sauces or dips

• Paired with pears, figs, or walnuts

🧠 Fun Fact

The mold in blue cheese is Penicillium roqueforti, which is edible and safe.

8. Feta – The Mediterranean Staple

🔎 Overview

It is the best-known and most consumed Greek cheese. It is a mixture of goat’s milk and sheep’s milk and has a salty and spicy flavor. It is perfect to add to pizzas, salads or cakes. A very versatile traditional cheese, due to its different textures depending on the ripening: it can be creamy or extremely dry. Pairs perfectly with olive oil or nuts.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Popular in health-focused Mediterranean diets

• Long shelf life due to brining

• Widely used in vegetarian cooking

🍽 Popular Uses

• Greek salad

• Spanakopita (spinach pie)

• Topped on grain bowls or roasted vegetables

🧠 Fun Fact

Only cheese made in specific regions of Greece can legally be labeled “Feta” in the EU.

9. Swiss Cheese (Emmental) – The Hole-y Hero

🔎 Overview

Swiss cheese (commonly referring to Emmental) is recognizable for its holes (or “eyes”) and mild, nutty flavor.

🌍 Why It’s Best-Selling

• Perfect for sandwiches and melting

• Mass production in U.S., Europe, and Australia

• Mild taste makes it family-friendly

🍽 Popular Uses

• Turkey and Swiss sandwiches

• Fondue mixes

• Omelets and casseroles

🧠 Fun Fact

The holes in Swiss cheese are formed by carbon dioxide bubbles created by propionic bacteria during fermentation.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few more well-loved cheeses that may not top the global charts but are beloved in specific regions:

• Manchego (Spain): Firm and nutty; made from sheep’s milk

• Paneer (India): Non-melting, mild cheese used in curries

• Provolone (Italy): Semi-hard with a mild, smoky flavor

• Cottage Cheese (Worldwide): Fresh and high-protein

• Ricotta (Italy): Soft and creamy, perfect for lasagna and desserts

• Mascarpone: It is originally from northern Italy, coming from the Lombardy region. It is a fresh cheese obtained by making milk cream, cream, and citric acid or acetic acid. Its texture is soft and very creamy, and it has a very sweet flavor. This is why it is used in typical Italian desserts such as tiramisu and cheesecakes.
• Roquefort: It is a typical French cheese. It is made with coagulated sheep’s milk, and its texture is semi-soft and with green spots due to fungi. It has a salty and complex flavor that is softened by spreading it on bread.

Summary Table – Most Popular Cheeses

Final Thoughts: Which Cheese Will You Choose?

Cheese is a global comfort food that connects cultures, tastes, and people. From melty mozzarella on pizza to sharp cheddar in a grilled cheese sandwich, each best-selling variety has earned its place on our plates.

The next time you shop, travel, or cook, consider trying a new cheese with a story behind it. Who knows—you might just discover a new favorite.

🧑‍🍳 Pro tip: Pair cheeses with fruits, bread, wine, or jams to elevate your tasting experience, just like they do in France or Italy.

FAQs – Best-Selling Types Of Cheese In The World

Q: What is the #1 best-selling cheese in the world?
A: Mozzarella, due to its widespread use in pizza.

Q: What is the most consumed cheese in America?
A: Cheddar, followed closely by mozzarella.

Q: Are soft cheeses less popular than hard cheeses?
A: Not necessarily. Soft cheeses like cream cheese and mozzarella are hugely popular due to their versatility.

Q: What’s the healthiest cheese?
A: Cheeses like feta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese tend to be lower in fat and calories.

Q: Are all cheeses made from cow’s milk?
A: No. Many famous cheeses (like feta, goat cheese, and manchego) come from sheep or goat milk.