Cretan Graviera Recognized as World's Best Hard Cheese

Tuesday, 19 May 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

Graviera, the hard cheese produced in Crete and Naxos, has been ranked among the best hard cheeses in the world by Taste Atlas, the internationally recognized food and travel guide. Cretan Graviera holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, meaning authentic versions can only be produced on the island using local sheep and goat milk. Visitors to Crete can find it at local markets, cheese shops, and tavernas across the island, particularly in rural areas of Heraklion, Rethymno, and Lasithi. It is commonly served as a table cheese, grilled as saganaki, or paired with local honey and raki. For food-focused travelers, visiting a traditional dairy cooperative or a mountain village in the Psiloritis region offers a chance to taste freshly made Graviera directly from producers.