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Hard Cheese

Hard cheeses are the cornerstone of any cheese lover’s repertoire. With bold flavors, crumbly textures, and incredible versatility, they’re a must-have for everything from charcuterie boards to sandwiches and many recipes.

Name
Milk Type
Texture
Type
Origin
Shape
Price
Availability
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1 - 28 of 111 products
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Pecorino Toscano Stagionato DOP
Pecorino Toscano Stagionato DOP
from Italy by Fromage Marquis

This distinctive Italian cheese makes a fragrant addition to your table or cuisine.

5(9 reviews)
Iberico Semicured Cheese - 3 months
Iberico Semicured Cheese - 3 months
from Spain by Merco

The perfect accompaniment to red wine, this semihard Spanish cheese is made from cow, goat and sheep milk

5(6 reviews)
Sheep Milk Cheese with White Truffles - Aged 6 Months
Sheep Milk Cheese with White Truffles - Aged 6 Months
from Spain by La Antigua

A splendid union of rich sheep’s milk cheese and earthy white truffle, this Spanish cheese is bound to become a favorite.

5(4 reviews)
Fiscalini 18 Month Farmstead Cheddar
Fiscalini 18 Month Farmstead Cheddar
from United States by Fiscalini Farm

A delicious extra mature cheddar cheese from California.

5(3 reviews)
Quebec Vintage Cheddar, 6-7 Years
Quebec Vintage Cheddar, 6-7 Years
from Canada by Old Quebec Vintage Cheddar

A vintage Cheddar with bold flavors and a unique production process.

5(3 reviews)
Cotija Cheese - Mexican Style Grating Cheese
Mexican Cotija Cheese
from Mexico by La Chona

Mexico's answer to Parmesan and Feta, Cotija is salty and crumbly and perfect for authentic tacos and burritos.

5(1 review)
Pecorino Al Tartufo
Pecorino Al Tartufo
from Italy by Caseificio S. Maria

An aromatic and flavorful sheep's milk cheese with pieces of white and black Italian truffles studded throughout.

5(1 review)
Parmigiano Reggiano DOP - Aged 24 months (whole wheel)
Parmigiano Reggiano DOP - Aged 24 months (whole wheel)
from Italy by Emilia

A wonderful eating and grating cheese our Parmigiano Reggiano will transform your cooking and elevate your meals with its sharp savory flavor.

5(1 review)
Mimolette - Aged 3 Months
Mimolette - Aged 3 Months
from France by Isigny

With it's distinctive orange hue and nutty flavor, this hard cave-aged cheese was developed to complete with Dutch Goudas.

5(1 review)
Sheep Milk Cheese with Saffron La Mancha
Sheep Milk Cheese with Saffron La Mancha
from Spain by La Antigua

A complex cheese bursting with natural sweetness of sheep’s milk and the bright undertones of rich saffron.

5(1 review)
Raw Sheep Milk Cheese with White Truffles - Aged 4 Months
Raw Sheep Milk Cheese with White Truffles - Aged 4 Months
from Spain by La Antigua

Rich and aromatic, this cheese is rendered extra special thanks to the inclusion of white truffles.

5(1 review)
Gruyere, Cave Aged 12 Months
Gruyere, Cave Aged 12 Months
from Switzerland by Columbia Cheese

The melting cheese par excellence, Gruyere’s nutty profile is perfect for infusing flavor into everything from soups to gratins.

5(1 review)
Gouda
Gouda
from Netherlands by Beemster

The absolutely incredibly Dutch cheese made by a small coop in The Netherlands.

4.9(7 reviews)
Grana Padano D.O.P. - Aged 16 Months
Grana Padano D.O.P. - Aged 18 Months
from Italy by Latteria Sociale Stallone

Mitica ages their wheels for at least 18 months, resulting in this rich, full-bodied Grana Padano.

4.8(4 reviews)
Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano
from Italy by Emilia

A staple in every connoisseur's pantry, Parmigiano is as versatile as it is delicious. Shave into pastas or dip into an aged Aceto Balsamico.

4.7(11 reviews)
Manchego - Aged 6 Months
Manchego Cheese - Aged 6 Months
from Spain by Merco

An excellent aged Manchego cheese with more full-bodied flavor, and more robust taste.

4.7(32 reviews)
Idiazabal Smoked
Idiazabal Smoked
from Spain by Bideki

A sheep's milk cheese from Basque country in Spain, smoked in beechwood.

4.7(3 reviews)
Sheep Milk Cheese with Pink Peppercorn
Sheep Milk Cheese with Pink Peppercorn
from Spain by La Antigua

The perfect balance between the rich flavor of sheep’s milk cheese and the exotic spice of pink peppercorns.

4.7(3 reviews)
Sheep Milk Cheese Aged in Tempranillo Wine
Sheep Milk Cheese Aged in Tempranillo Wine Grapes
from Spain by La Antigua

A fantastic seasonal cheese made of sheep's Milk and Spanish Tempranillo wine, aged for one year.

4.5(2 reviews)
Mimolette - Aged 12 Months
Mimolette - Aged 12 Months
from France by Fromage Marquis

A vibrant orange cow's milk cheese from France with a buttery flavor of caramel and butterscotch.

4.2(5 reviews)
Caprichos de la Pastora Azafran - Sheep Milk Cheese with Saffron
Sheep Milk Cheese with Saffron
from Spain by La Antigua

A buttery sheep's milk cheese infused with threads of fine La Mancha saffron, cured for 4 to six months to fully develop the flavors.

4(2 reviews)
Pecorino Romano - Sheep Milk Cheese
Pecorino Romano
from Italy by GourmetFoodStore.com

A hard, salty sheep's milk cheese as ancient as the Romans, often used for grating over pasta and other meals.

Grana Padano Aged 16 Months - Quarter Wheel
Grana Padano Aged 16 Months - Quarter Wheel
from Italy by Lombardy

A refined Italian DOP cheese, Grana Padano is hard and has a tangy, fruity flavor.

Garrotxa
Garrotxa
from Spain by Catalonia

An artisanal goat's milk cheese from the Catalunian region of Spain.

Mimolette - Aged 18 Months
Mimolette - 18 Months
from France by Isigny

A delightfully sweet and mild French cheese inspired by Dutch Edam with a smooth finish and firm texture.

Grana Padano Aged Over 18 months
Grana Padano Aged Over 16 months
from Italy by Lombardy

Similar to Parmigiano Reggiano; fine granular and creamy texture with a low fat content and light hay overtones.

Mimolette - Aged 6 Months
Mimolette - Aged 6 Months
from France by Isigny

Similar to Edam, Mimolette or Boule de Lille has a dark orange rind and is perfect with beer.

Zamorano
Zamorano
from Spain by Castilla y Leon

Lovely Spanish cheese, similar to Manchego, with a buttery taste.

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Aged to perfection, these rich cheeses develop complex tastes that can range from nutty and sharp to sweet and caramelized. Whether you're shaving Parmigiano Reggiano over pasta, savoring the rich depth of a clothbound cheddar, or crumbling Pecorino Romano into a salad, hard cheeses are culinary stars that never disappoint. Even better? they’re also nutritional powerhouses. Packed with protein, calcium, and essential nutrients like phosphorus, they’re a great way to give your body a boost while treating your taste buds. And thanks to the aging process, they’re often easier to digest than younger cheeses, making them a win-win for cheese lovers.

Types of Hard Cheeses

Among the vast selection of cheese products, hard cheeses stand out with their unique, firm yet crumbly texture. These cheeses are typically made from cow’s, sheep’s, or goat’s milk, and some local producers even combine different types of milk to create distinct flavors. Here are some classic examples that cheese lovers know well:

  • Parmesan with its good strong texture and savory taste with a slight bitterness;
  • Cheddar with a creamier texture, where the flavor’s intensity can vary based on aging;
  • Pecorino made from sheep’s milk, offering a spicy, caramel-like aroma;
  • Grana Padano with a delicate, grainy texture and a characteristic salty note;
  • Gouda known for its soft, buttery taste and smooth texture.

How Much Does Hard Cheese Cost?

The price of hard cheese ranges from a few dollars to hundreds per serving. Generally, hard cheese price depends on ingredients, production method, brand, origin, and age. Cheeses made from cow’s or goat’s milk aged for three months or more tend to be more affordable. If you enjoy complex, layered flavors with sharp or unique notes, try aged or vintage varieties, which come with extended aging and distinct ingredients.

Where to Buy Hard Cheese

You can find a list of hard cheeses on Gourmet Food Store’s online shop. Every day, you'll find a delightful selection of cheeses from around the world (Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Canada, and beyond). To pick the best hard cheese for entertaining guests or for your favorite dishes, browse our full hard cheeses list, check out top-rated suppliers, and explore new arrivals.

Sign up for an account on our website to stay up-to-date with discounts and track your orders easily. If you’re a regular, consider joining our Gourmet Club to access exclusive offers and additional discounts on hard cheeses for sale. Members also get updated information on new arrivals and prices. Have questions about pricing, delivery times, or payment options? Just give us a call or reach out in live chat!

Hard Cheese Questions And Answers

Q:Can Hard Cheese be Frozen?
A:

Yes, hard cheeses can be frozen. However, their flavor and texture may be changed slightly once thawed. Freezing is one of the best storage options for the long-term preservation of cheese.

Q:How Should Hard Cheese Be Stored?
A:

The best way to store cheese is in the refrigerator. Be sure to tightly wrap each portion in wax paper or plastic wrap to keep them from drying out or absorbing any odors that may change their taste.

Q:What are the Distinguishing Features of Hard Cheese?
A:

Classic characteristics include their savory flavor, firm, grateable texture, and their endless versatility in the kitchen. These traits make firm cheeses a favorite among everyone, from the inexperienced home cook to the professional chef.

Q:What are Some Popular Examples of Hard Cheeses?
A:

The list of hard cheeses we know and love is long and delicious, but some of the most famous include Parmesan, Cheddar, aged Gouda, Emmental, Gruyére, and hard blue cheese like Stilton. These tasty options come in a variety of iterations and a range of price points. Browse and buy your favorites right here, at Gourmet Food Store!

Q:What are Hard Cheeses?
A:

A category of cheese that has a firm texture thanks to more moisture being pressed out during the initial cheesemaking process. This is followed by a longer aging period. You’ll be able to recognize these types of cheese by their dense texture and rich, complex flavor profile.

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