The soft cheese from Quinta do Pomar was recognized as the best among 4786 cheeses from 47 countries. British cheesemakers were unable to participate due to customs restrictions after Brexit.

Portugal won the World Cheese Awards, while the UK was left without an award due to customs restrictions.

Transmitted by UNN with reference to Euronews.

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A soft, buttery sheep's milk cheese from Portugal, made by Spaniard Sonia Marroio for Quinta do Pomar in Serra da Gardunha, has been recognized as the best in the world. The cheese topped the charts at this year's World Cheese Awards ceremony held in Viseu, northern Portugal, beating two Swiss cheeses (Tea Fondada and Alpenhorn Mifroma, which took second and third place), as well as Spanish and American cheeses (La Cava Barus) García-Baquero and Bayley Hazen Blue.

At least 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries were presented at this year's competition, which is considered the largest in the world, and were judged by 240 judges of 40 nationalities.

The judges for this award were experts in the cheese industry: cheese technologists, cheese classifiers, retailers, buyers, chefs and journalists. For about three hours, the cheeses stood on different tables, where the judges evaluated them for appearance, aroma, texture, taste and mouthfeel, and then awarded them with gold, silver, bronze or no medals.

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A curious fact: British cheesemakers were left out of the running after their applications for participation in the competition were subjected to customs inspections after Brexit. As a result of problems with customs, up to 252 cheeses from 67 British producers were affected.

John Farrand, director of the Guild of Fine Foods, said there would be “no delay” until after the UK leaves the EU.

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