Spanish supermarket cheese ranks among the world’s best

In an unexpected turn, Mercadona’s affordable Hacendado Crema de Camembert has been recognised as one of the world´s best cheeses. Priced at just €1.70 for a 150-gram tub, this supermarket staple won a coveted Super Gold medal at the 36th edition of the World Cheese Awards, held recently in Viseu, Portugal.

The cheese, produced by the Lafuente cheesemaking company in Cantabria, stood out among 4,786 entries from 47 countries. Judges praised its smooth texture and intense flavour.

A victory for Spanish cheese

Spain shone at this year’s competition, earning 654 awards, including 25 Super Gold distinctions, 95 golds, 231 silvers, and 303 bronzes. This success highlights the country’s reputation for producing world-class cheeses, from the sharp Manchego to the creamy Torta del Casar and the flavourful Payoyo.

Among Spain’s other winners were the Valleclaro

by Quesos y Besos, made with milk from Málaga goats, and García Baquero’s La Cava Barus, a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk aged in wooden cellars.

What makes Mercadona’s cheese special?

The Hacendado Crema de Camembert

is crafted with high-quality ingredients, including milk and butter from cows in Asturias and Cantabria. It’s free from gluten, making it suitable for coeliacs, and perfect for spreading on bread or incorporating into recipes.

Lafuente, the cheesemaker behind the product, has been producing artisanal cheeses since 1942. Their partnership with Mercadona began in 2012, ensuring that high-quality, affordable cheeses reach Spanish consumers.

Spain’s diverse cheese heritage

Beyond the award-winning Mercadona offering, Spain’s cheese culture is deeply rooted in tradition. Regional specialties like Queso Cabrales

from Asturias, a strong blue cheese, and Roncal from Navarra, a sheep’s milk cheese, demonstrate the diversity of flavours. Modern innovations, such as goat cheese with rosemary or fig pearls, also gained recognition at the awards.

Producers like TGT Group and Reny Picot have contributed to Spain’s international success. Reny Picot’s Azul

cheese, a mix of cow and sheep milk, also won Super Gold.

Why this matters

Mercadona’s recognition highlights how premium quality doesn’t always come with a high price tag. With more consumers prioritising affordability, the success of this supermarket brand underscores Spain’s ability to combine tradition with accessibility.

For cheese lovers, the World Cheese Awards serve as an annual reminder of the creativity and craftsmanship behind every wheel, wedge, or tub. Whether you’re exploring Spanish classics or supermarket gems, there’s something for every palate.

World´s best cheese

I absolutely love cheeses of all kinds. This one from Mercadona is one of my favourites. It is so versatile, that I eat it on its own in a sandwich, or use it as a partial filling for a jacket potato. It is so creamy and tasty, one sandwich is never enough!

Enjoy your next cheese platter, knowing that some of the best cheeses in the world might be closer—and cheaper—than you think.

Also read:

Top position for Spanish blue cheese