Cheese is one of the most beloved foods in the world, but not all varieties are as simple as a mild cheddar or a creamy brie. Some cheeses are aged in caves, while others are deliberately infested with live insects. From maggots to mould, these bizarre creations push the boundaries of what most people consider edible. If you thought blue cheese was adventurous, wait until you see what’s on this list! Get ready to explore ten of the strangest, most unusual, and downright shocking cheeses ever made.
10. Pule Cheese
This is officially the world’s most expensive cheese! Made from fresh donkey’s milk, these donkeys are given the very best grass to eat and live as freely as possible in the wilds of Serbia. They are carefully farmed and milked, resulting in this luxurious and rare cheese. Overpriced if you ask me!
9. Gubbeen
This soft cow’s milk cheese is most notable for its pure white colour and very rich texture. Said to have a smoky aroma, it is considered one of the world’s finest cheeses.
8. Cabrales Cheese
Do you like your cheese smelly? This blue cow’s cheese from Asturias is rich, salty, spicy, and very pungent. But according to cheese connoisseurs, it also tastes amazing!
7. Ewe Bloom Cheese
This super sweet and highly pungent ewe’s milk cheese from Gloucestershire is hand-washed with brine, ensuring that every single inch is packed full of flavour. It’s perfect for pairing with crackers!
6. Stilton au Porto
This cheese has a unique balance of salt and sweetness, spice and depth. Often called the “King of Cheeses,” it is one of the most historic blue Stiltons in the world, first made in the early 18th century. Only six dairies worldwide have the right to produce it, making it an exclusive and prestigious cheese.
5. Little Black Bomber
Also called the Snowdonia Original, the Little Black Bomber is an extra mature cheddar cheese made in Snowdonia, Wales. The thick black rind is said to be very easy to remove, making it one of the best-tasting wax-covered cheeses in the world.
4. Lincolnshire Poacher
This rather modern cheese has won so many awards that we could do a top 100 list just for them! This ultra-hard cow’s milk cheese from Lincolnshire has a very acidic and earthy taste, making it a favourite among cheese lovers.
3. Tomme au Marc de Raisin
This cheese is quite rare, produced only in the autumn as an official Christmas cheese. Made from cow’s milk soaked in brandy, it is then covered with dried grapes used to make the same brandy! It sounds simply amazing, if a little alcoholic.
2. Montebore Cheese
This is not just one cheese, but three stacked together in a tower called a Montebore. Made from a blend of cow’s and ewe’s milk, it is said to have a lightly acidic yet very sweet taste.
1. Stilton Gold Cheese
Why is this called Stilton Gold? Because it really is made with actual gold flakes! Initially released as a limited edition, it is now produced annually. However, to get your hands on some, you must join a waiting list—and have a considerable amount of money to spare.
Cheese-making is an ancient art, but as we’ve seen, it can also be a little unconventional. Whether fermented in extreme conditions, crawling with live creatures, or simply smelling like a locker room after a heatwave, these cheeses are not for the faint-hearted. However, for the adventurous eater, they offer a unique way to experience history, culture, and daring flavours.
Have you ever tried any of these unusual cheeses? Or do you know of an even stranger one that deserves a spot on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this deep dive into the world’s strangest cheeses, don’t forget to share this article with your fellow food lovers (or cheese sceptics!).