Cheese is highly regional and always reflects the specific area it comes from. Italy and France are the two biggest cheese powerhouses, each with numerous cheese regions known across the world.
But what differentiates their cheeses?
Italy has over 2500 traditional varieties of cheese. In terms of volume, only France and Germany produce more cheese than Italy. Their most famous cheeses include the creamy and milky soft cheeses Mozzarella, Gorgonzola blue cheese, Mascarpone and Ricotta.
Italy also produces hard-cheeses like Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano) and Grana Padano, both which feature salty and savoury tastes and perfect with Bolognese.
France comparatively has 350 to 450 distinct cheese types. Its most famous cheese types include the ever-popular soft cheeses camembert and brie. France’s cheese repertoire also includes ancient cheeses like Roquefort which dates back to at least 79 AD.
What they both have in common however is authenticity. The best cheeses from both regions are authentic cheeses produced where they first started.
