Norway is known for its rolling beauty, deep Fjords and eye wateringly expensive alcohol, but not for its cheese. How many Norwegian cheeses can you name? Jarlsberg, gamalost...
Well, a small Norwegian producer has only gone and won the top gong at the 2016 World Cheese Awards, putting Norway firmly on the cheese map. Tingvollost’s Kraftkar blue cheese was crowned “Champion of Champions” at the 29th World Cheese Awards in San Sebastián, beating two Spanish cheeses, a French and a Swiss cheese to the runner’s up spots.
Here it is folks! The World Champion Cheese - Kraftkar from Tingvollost in Norway #WorldCheeseAwards @IntCheeseFest pic.twitter.com/ijMK2xWWre
— Guild of Fine Food (@guildoffinefood) November 16, 2016
Tingvollost is based in Torjulvågen, close to Molde on Norway’s west coast. The farm produces roughly 20 tonnes of pasteurised cow’s milk cheese a year. The 12 month-aged Tingvollost was described as “the best cheese ever made” at the event, according to The Irish Times.
266 judges from 26 countries tasted 3021 cheeses from 31 countries, The Local reports – lucky them. You can see what the award meant to Tingvollost chairman Gunnar Waagen in the clip below.
World Champion Cheese 2016 - Kraftkar from Tingvollost in Norway #WorldCheeseAwards @IntCheeseFest @guildoffinefood pic.twitter.com/1bgHc0MwTt
— Silverstream TV (@SilverstreamTV) November 16, 2016
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