The best alpine cheese comes from Austria

Updated 26.09.2022

On 24 September 2022, the die was cast in Galtür for the participants of the 28th International Alpine Cheese Olympics: with 68 out of 126 awards given on site, Austria has the largest and best range of raw milk cheeses in the Alpine region in 2022. 135 alpine dairies from 4 countries with 318 entries took part in the competition. Save the Date: The 29th International Alm Cheese Olympics will take place on 30 September 2023 in Galtür.

On 24 September 2022, 138 alpine pastures from Austria, Lichtenstein, Italy and Switzerland came together for the 28th Almkäseolympiade to choose the best alpine cheese for the first time again in front of an audience. Admitted to the competition: Only genuine raw milk cheese made from fresh alpine milk and produced on a registered, managed alpine pasture. Best Almkäseland 2022 was Austria with 68 awards. The day's winner and thus the Golden Sennerharfe in the hard cheese category went to Bianca Burtscher from Alpe Laguz in Austria. The golden Sennerharfe for the best semi-hard cheese went to Martin Lutz from the Siez Alpine Dairy in Switzerland. The Dreikäsehoch prize for the best "children's cheese", awarded annually by the children's jury, was also won by Martin Lutz from Alpkäserei Siez in Switzerland for his Siezer Alpkäse. "The great popularity of our event shows us that a product like regional alpine cheese made from the best ingredients is not going out of fashion. Every year we are thrilled anew by the many high-quality products and the large number of participants," said Martin Wagner, chairman of the Galtür rural youth, about the successful event.

Award-winning alpine cheese from the Alpine region

For an award for the best alpine cheese in the Alpine region, the cheese loaves had to pass in the categories exterior, interior, taste and consistency in front of an international jury of cheese experts from industry, trade and education. The taste winners were awarded Sennerharfen in gold, silver and bronze. The alpine cheese team Huber from the Faulbrunnalm in Galtür secured the most prizes for its 2022 cheeses with a total of 5 Sennerharfen (5 x gold). Bianca Burtscher from Alpe Laguz in Austria was delighted with her cheese, which won the day in the hard cheese category and the golden Sennerharfe. Martin Lutz from the Siez Alpine Dairy in Switzerland won the day's prize in the semi-hard cheese category and a golden dairyman's harp. The jury praised the high quality of the cheeses served: "You can literally taste the passion and the great commitment of the alpine dairymen for their products. The alpine cheeses presented to us this year have once again completely impressed us," said jury chairperson Frieda Eliskases-Lechner from the HBLFA Rotholz

The best children's cheese will be found in Switzerland in 2022

For the coveted Dreikäsehoch prize, the strict seven-member children's jury had to be convinced for their cheese in a blind tasting. Martin Lutz from the Siez Alpine Dairy in Switzerland hit the bull's eye with the taste buds of the young gourmets with his cheese. His Siez Alpine Cheese was named the best children's cheese of 2022.

Strict regulations

There are strict rules for participation in the International Alpine Cheese Olympics. Only cheeses produced on a registered, managed alpine pasture using the means of alpine pasture farming are permitted. Thus, at the popular event in Galtür, only raw milk cheeses made from genuine Alpine milk are judged by the cheese experts from industry, trade and education from Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and Switzerland.

Upward trend for regional quality products

Even after 27 years, the idea of the Galtür Almkäseolympiade founders is still topical. The steadily increasing demand for locally produced and high-quality products as well as the annually high number of participants and visitors confirm the successful concept of the event. Save the Date: The Almkäseolympiade will take place for the 29th time on 30 September 2023.

Further information at www.galtuer.com.