World’s most expensive cheese sold in Spain for €37,000

Northern Spain has just claimed a culinary world record. At the Cabrales festival in Asturias, a wedge of local blue cheese fetched a staggering €37,000. This makes it officially the world’s most expensive cheese.

The winning wheel, weighing just over two kilos, was crafted by the family-run Ángel Díaz Herrero dairy. What sets Cabrales apart is its maturation process: cheeses are left for months in the high-altitude caves of Los Mazos, at 1,500 metres, where natural humidity and temperature create its fiery, tangy bite. The result is an intensely salty and powerful flavour profile that has made Cabrales legendary among gourmets.

A buyer with tradition in mind

The record-breaking bid came from Iván Suárez, owner of Oviedo’s El Llagar de Colloto restaurant. Suárez is no stranger to the festival, having paid eye-watering sums for Cabrales before. For him, it’s about more than taste—his purchases are a way to honour local tradition and showcase Asturian produce on his menu.

Drama and laughter on stage

The high-stakes auction turned briefly comic when Suárez received his prize. The cheese slipped from the plate and landed on the stage floor. Undeterred, he scooped it up, posed for photos, and quipped that he would still share the cheese with family and guests.

Why Cabrales matters

Cabrales is more than a delicacy; it is a Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) product, meaning it can only be made in specific Asturian villages, using raw cow’s milk and traditional cave ageing. This strict authenticity underpins its reputation—and, increasingly, its price.

More than a cheese, it´s a cultural emblem

For Asturias, the record is not just about gastronomy. The annual Cabrales festival draws international visitors and strengthens regional pride, reminding the world that artisanal food traditions can rival luxury goods in both prestige and value.

Source: ExpoGourmet