We are passionate about traditional and raw milk cheeses and want to inspire people to embrace the joys of the old ways of eating these cheeses in healthy amounts. Through our robust resources, newsletter, events, and campaigns, we aim to connect cheese lovers with cheese producers, and empower them to buy, use, and enjoy traditional cheese.
Traditional cheeses are produced using age-old practices that have been passed down through generations. Using the research and knowledge of cheese experts, we have established three main features that help define traditional cheeses— the milk, production practices, culture and history.
In addition to high-quality ingredients, deep history, and meticulous craft that goes into producing them, traditional cheeses represent years of gastronomic legacy and help to support families, agricultural communities, and important cultural heritage all over the world. Plus, they are delicious!
Raw milk cheeses are made with milk that has not been pasteurized or heat-treated. Pasteurization removes many of the fungi spores, yeasts, and microorganisms that make a cheese unique. In 2015, the Oldways Cheese Coalition created the Annual International Raw Milk Cheese Appreciation Day (aka #RawCheeseDay) to highlight the diversity and deliciousness of cheeses made with raw milk.
Visit our Cheese Store Directory to search for cheese stores near you. Talk to a cheesemonger, learn about new-to-you options, and start exploring the world of traditional cheeses!
If you’re ready to enjoy and learn about traditional cheeses, we’ve got all the information you need in our FAQ section.
Our members help advance our mission to inspire people to embrace the joys of the old ways of eating traditional cheeses in healthy amounts.
