The Pricey Cheese Conundrum: What's The Costliest Variety?

Cheese is a beloved food for many, but some types are more exclusive than others. The most expensive cheese in the world is Pule cheese, also known as magareći sir, which is made from Balkan donkey milk and goat's milk. Produced in the Zasavica Nature Reserve in Serbia, Pule cheese is extremely rare and difficult to produce, with only around 100 jennies (female donkeys) providing milk for cheese-making. It takes approximately 25 litres of donkey milk to produce just one kilogram of Pule cheese, contributing to its high price of up to $1300 per kilogram. The cheese is renowned for its unique flavour and crumbly texture, resembling Spain's famous Manchego cheese but with added richness and intensity. For cheese enthusiasts, the opportunity to taste Pule cheese may be worth the hefty price tag.

Why is Pule cheese so expensive?

Pule cheese is the most expensive cheese in the world, with prices reaching up to $1,300 per kilogram. There are several reasons why this cheese is so expensive. Firstly, it is made from donkey milk, which is exceptionally rare and difficult to produce. Female donkeys (known as jennies) only produce about 1.5-2 litres of milk per day, compared to cows, which can produce up to 60 litres per day. This means it takes a lot of donkey milk to make Pule cheese; approximately 25 litres of milk are needed to make just one kilogram of cheese!

Another factor contributing to the high price of Pule cheese is the labour involved in its production. Donkey milking must be done by hand, as no milking machinery exists to accommodate the anatomy of donkeys. The milking occurs three times per day, and it can take months to produce the cheese.

The rarity of the donkey breed used for Pule cheese is also a factor in its high price. The cheese is made from the milk of Balkan donkeys, which are a rare and endangered breed. The donkeys are protected at the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia, which was founded by Slobodan Simić to preserve this endangered species.

The secret recipe for Pule cheese is also a factor in its high price. The cheese is made with 60% donkey milk and 40% goat milk, as well as a secret mix of additives and bacteria. This mix is essential to the cheesemaking process, as donkey milk contains less fat and protein than the milk of other animals, which means it requires additional ingredients to coagulate. The recipe for Pule cheese is known only to Slobodan Simić and one other person in the world.

Finally, the high price of Pule cheese may also be due to the fact that it is a delicacy with a unique flavour and texture. The cheese is reputed to have a rich, complex flavour that is slightly tangy and earthy, similar to that of manchego. It also has a soft and crumbly texture.

What does Pule cheese taste like?

Pule cheese, also known as magareći sir, is a Serbian cheese made from 60% Balkan donkey milk and 40% goat's milk. It is reportedly the "world's most expensive cheese", fetching prices of up to $1300 per kilogram. The cheese is produced in the Zasavica Nature Reserve in Serbia, where the rare Balkan donkeys are protected.

So, what does the world's most expensive cheese taste like? Well, according to various sources, Pule cheese has a unique and complex flavour profile. It has been described as having nutty, earthy, and salty flavours, with tangy, slightly sour, and buttery taste. The cheese is also said to have a mild, clean, and sweet flavour, with floral notes and a long finish. In terms of texture, Pule cheese is soft, crumbly, and dry, similar to feta or ricotta that has been strained for a longer period.

The unique flavour of Pule cheese is attributed to the rare donkey milk used in its production. Donkey milk contains 60 times more Vitamin C than cow's milk and has a low-fat content of only 1%. The rare plants found in the Zasavica Reserve's terroir also contribute to the diverse floral, grassy, and leafy perfumes found in the cheese.

Overall, Pule cheese offers a luxurious and unforgettable culinary experience for those willing to pay a premium price. Its subtle, mild flavour and unique texture make it a sought-after delicacy for cheese connoisseurs who appreciate intricate flavours.

Where can you buy Pule cheese?

Pule cheese, reportedly the world's most expensive cheese, can be purchased directly from the Zasavica donkey reserve in Serbia, about 80 kilometres from Belgrade. The cheese is produced by hand-milking a herd of about 100 endangered Balkan donkeys, and it takes 25 litres of donkey milk to produce just one kilogram of this rare cheese.

The Zasavica donkey reserve sells the cheese at 1,000 pounds per kilogram (approximately $576 a pound) to sponsor their conservation work. While you can't buy Pule in a cheese shop, the farm has plans to export to the United Kingdom, Germany, and the rest of the world. In the meantime, you can order the cheese online from the reserve or visit in person.

What are some other expensive cheeses?

Pule cheese, made from Balkan donkey milk and goat's milk, is widely regarded as the world's most expensive cheese. However, there are several other cheeses that come with a high price tag. Here are some examples of other expensive cheeses:

Caciocavallo Podolico

Caciocavallo Podolico is an Italian cheese made from the milk of the rare Podolica cattle. This cheese has a teardrop shape and is often aged for several years to develop its full flavour. It has a rich, nutty, and slightly spicy flavour with a hint of sweetness. The texture is firm and smooth. The price of Caciocavallo Podolico ranges from $50 to $150 per kilogram, depending on its age and quality.

White Stilton Gold

White Stilton Gold is a luxurious version of the traditional White Stilton cheese, infused with edible gold flakes. Produced in the UK, this cheese has a mild, creamy, and slightly tangy flavour with a hint of sweetness. It has a soft and crumbly texture. White Stilton Gold can cost up to $450 per kilogram, primarily due to the addition of gold.

Époisses De Bourgogne

Époisses de Bourgogne is a French cow's milk cheese that is washed with Marc de Bourgogne, a brandy made from the remnants of pressed grapes. This washing process gives the cheese a distinctive orange rind and a pungent aroma. It has a rich, salty, and slightly sweet flavour. The texture is soft and creamy. Époisses de Bourgogne typically costs between $30 and $60 per kilogram.

Cabrales

Cabrales is a traditional Spanish blue cheese made from unpasteurised cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk. It is aged in natural limestone caves in the Asturias region, giving it a unique and robust flavour. Cabrales is known for its sharp, tangy, and intense flavour with a slightly spicy finish. The texture is creamy yet crumbly. The price of Cabrales cheese typically ranges from $50 to $100 per kilogram.

Lord of the Hundreds

Originating from East Sussex, England, Lord of the Hundreds is a sheep's milk cheese with a rustic character. It has a slightly dry, sharp, and nutty flavour. This cheese costs $45 per pound.

Winnimere

Winnimere is a creamy, gooey, and soft cheese from Vermont. It is only made during the winter months, so it is ideal to stock up on this cheese. Winnimere costs $40 for 13 ounces.

Why is cheese so expensive?

Cheese is a beloved food for many, but some varieties are much more expensive than others. The price of cheese can be influenced by several factors, including the type of milk used, the rarity of the animal the milk comes from, the complexity and time required for production, the batch size, and the ageing process. Natural cheeses, which are made from raw or pasteurised milk without any additives, tend to be more expensive than processed cheeses, which are made with melted natural cheese, emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.

One of the most well-known expensive cheeses is Pule cheese, which is produced in Serbia and is made from Balkan donkey milk and goat's milk. It is reported to be the world's most expensive cheese, fetching up to US$1300 per kilogram or $600 per pound. The high price of Pule cheese is due to several factors, primarily its rarity and the difficulty of its production. There are only about 100 jennies (female donkeys) in the landrace of Balkan donkeys that are milked for Pule cheese production, and it takes 25 litres of their milk to create just one kilogram of cheese. The donkeys can only produce a small amount of milk per day, and they must be milked by hand three times a day due to their anatomy.

Other factors that contribute to the expense of Pule cheese include the time-consuming production process, which includes ageing the cheese for a month, and the fact that it is produced in small batches with a secret recipe. The protection of the rare breed of Balkan donkeys and their habitat is also funded by the high price of the cheese.

Pule cheese is described as having a rich, nutty, and earthy flavour with a tangy and unique soft, crumbly texture. Its high price tag makes it a coveted item for cheese aficionados and those seeking a unique culinary experience.

Other expensive cheeses include White Stilton Gold, which can cost up to US$450 per kilogram due to the inclusion of edible gold flakes, and Caciocavallo Podolico, an Italian cheese made from the milk of rare Podolica cattle, which typically costs around US$50 to US$150 per kilogram. These cheeses, along with other luxury cheeses, showcase the intricate craft of cheesemaking and offer a taste experience unlike any other.

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