Cheese can be simple enough to enjoy on a slice of bread and complex enough to become the centrepiece of an entire meal. From mild, creamy varieties through to firm, matured cheeses with deep and distinctive flavours, there is an enormous world to explore.
For cheese lovers, the challenge is often not finding cheese, but knowing what to choose.
Different varieties offer completely different textures, aromas and flavour profiles. Some are ideal for melting, some shine on a cheeseboard, while others are best enjoyed on their own with very little accompaniment.
At Alpine Express, the focus is on bringing carefully selected artisan Swiss cheese to people who appreciate quality, authenticity and flavour. Rather than treating cheese as simply another grocery item, the Alpine Express range gives customers the opportunity to discover traditional favourites and lesser-known Alpine varieties.
Whether you’re building a cheeseboard, preparing fondue or raclette, searching for a gift or simply want something special for the fridge, understanding the different types of cheese makes choosing much easier.
What Makes Great Cheese?
There isn’t one single characteristic that defines great cheese.
What makes one variety exceptional can be completely different from another. A beautiful soft cheese might be appreciated for its creamy texture, while an aged hard cheese might stand out because of its concentrated flavour and firm structure.
Quality cheese is influenced by the milk, cheesemaking methods, ageing process and the care taken throughout production and storage.
This is particularly noticeable with artisan cheese. Traditional cheesemaking focuses on developing flavour and character rather than simply producing something uniform.
The result is a product with its own identity.
For the person eating it, however, the most important question is much simpler:
Does it taste good, and is it right for how you want to enjoy it?
That is why learning a few basic cheese styles can make such a difference.
Understanding the Main Types of Cheese
There are countless individual varieties, but understanding several broad styles makes navigating a cheese selection much easier.
Hard and Aged Cheese
Hard cheeses tend to have a firmer texture and more concentrated flavour.
Ageing allows flavour to develop over time, often creating savoury, nutty, slightly sweet or intensely aromatic characteristics.
Swiss varieties such as Gruyère and Sbrinz are excellent examples of cheeses that can develop significant complexity through maturation.
Hard cheese is incredibly versatile. Depending on the variety, it can be:
- enjoyed by itself
- sliced onto a cheeseboard
- grated over meals
- incorporated into cooking
- paired with bread, fruit and condiments.
If you enjoy stronger and more developed flavours, exploring matured cheeses is an excellent place to start.
For a closer look at different varieties, read our guide to the best types of cheese and how to choose between them.
Semi-Hard Cheese
Semi-hard cheese sits somewhere between softer styles and very firm aged cheeses.
These cheeses can offer a fantastic balance between texture and flavour. They are often easy to slice and can range from approachable and mild through to aromatic and full-flavoured.
Swiss cheesemaking is particularly well known for this category.
Appenzeller is a great example. It offers the recognisable satisfaction of an Alpine cheese while providing a distinctive flavour that separates it from more everyday supermarket varieties.
Semi-hard cheeses are excellent for people beginning to explore artisan cheese because there is so much variety within the category.
Cheese for Melting
Some cheese is good when melted.
Other cheese seems as though it was created for it.
Raclette is one of the most recognisable examples.
The cheese is traditionally heated until beautifully soft and melted, then served with simple accompaniments such as potatoes and vegetables.
The beauty of raclette is that the cheese remains the star of the meal.
It also transforms eating into a social experience, making it a popular option when entertaining friends or family.
Alpine Express offers a dedicated range of Swiss raclette cheese, including classic and other flavour variations.
Fondue provides another distinctly Alpine way to enjoy cheese. Rather than simply adding melted cheese to another dish, fondue turns cheese into the meal itself, creating something designed to be shared around the table.
Raw Milk and Artisan Cheese
One of the reasons people begin exploring specialist cheese is the opportunity to experience varieties produced differently from mass-market products.
Raw milk cheese is made using milk that has not been pasteurised before cheesemaking.
For cheese enthusiasts, traditional raw milk varieties can offer fascinating depth and individuality.
Alpine Express specialises in artisan Swiss cheese and carries a broad selection that includes traditional raw milk varieties alongside other carefully selected cheeses.
For customers accustomed to standard supermarket cheese, discovering artisan varieties can completely change their understanding of how diverse cheese can be.
Why Swiss Cheese Offers So Much Variety
Mention Swiss cheese and many people immediately picture Emmentaler and its famous holes.
But Swiss cheese extends far beyond one style.
Switzerland has a rich cheesemaking culture that includes cheeses made for melting, ageing, slicing, scraping and sharing.
Gruyère AOP offers a completely different experience from Emmentaler AOP. Appenzeller brings another flavour profile again, while Tête de Moine has its own distinctive presentation and eating experience.
Then there are lesser-known Alpine varieties that allow adventurous cheese lovers to move beyond the familiar classics.
That diversity is part of what makes exploring Swiss artisan cheese so enjoyable.
You don’t necessarily need to understand every region, production method or ageing period. Start with the flavours and textures you already enjoy and explore from there.
Popular Swiss Cheese Varieties Worth Discovering
Gruyère
Gruyère is one of the most recognised Swiss cheeses and a fantastic starting point for anyone exploring quality Alpine cheese.
It can be enjoyed on a cheeseboard, used in cooking or incorporated into traditional melted cheese dishes.
Different maturation periods can create noticeably different eating experiences, which means Gruyère itself offers plenty to explore.
Emmentaler
Emmentaler is perhaps the cheese many people imagine when they hear “Swiss cheese”.
It is recognisable by its characteristic holes and is a versatile option for eating, cooking and cheeseboards.
If you’ve mainly experienced mass-produced versions before, authentic Swiss Emmentaler is worth discovering.
Appenzeller
For people ready to explore something with a little more personality, Appenzeller is an excellent option.
Its distinctive flavour makes it a great addition to a cheeseboard, particularly when paired with cheeses of different intensities.
Tête de Moine
Tête de Moine provides an experience that is both visual and flavour-focused.
Rather than simply cutting it into traditional slices, the cheese is famously shaved into delicate rosettes using a specialised cutter such as a Girolle.
That makes it particularly appealing for entertaining and special cheeseboards.
Raclette
Raclette is made for sharing.
Melt it, scrape it and enjoy it alongside simple accompaniments. It is comforting, social and unmistakably Alpine.
For anyone interested in creating a genuine raclette experience, starting with authentic Swiss Raclette cheese makes all the difference.
How to Choose Cheese for a Cheeseboard
A great cheeseboard doesn’t need ten different varieties.
In fact, choosing a smaller number of contrasting cheeses can often create a better experience.
Think about variety across:
Texture: Include different levels of firmness.
Flavour: Balance approachable flavours with something more distinctive.
Age: Mixing younger and matured cheese creates contrast.
Presentation: A visually interesting cheese such as Tête de Moine can become a centrepiece.
Three or four well-chosen varieties can provide plenty of variety without overwhelming the people eating them.
Add simple accompaniments such as good bread, crackers, fruit or suitable condiments and allow the cheese itself to remain the focus.
How Much Cheese Should You Buy?
The right amount depends heavily on how you plan to serve it.
If cheese is one component of a larger meal, you will generally need less than if you’re creating a dedicated cheeseboard or raclette dinner.
Think about:
- how many people you are serving
- whether cheese is a starter or main feature
- how many varieties you’re offering
- whether other substantial food will be served.
Buying individually cut cheese also makes it easier to choose quantities that suit the occasion rather than purchasing an entire wheel or oversized portion.
How to Store Quality Cheese
Once you’ve invested in good cheese, storing it properly helps protect its texture and flavour.
Cheese generally needs refrigeration, but wrapping is also important.
Rather than leaving cut artisan cheese exposed to air, keep it appropriately wrapped and refrigerated. Good storage helps prevent it from drying excessively while allowing you to enjoy the product over time.
Before serving, certain cheeses can also benefit from being removed from the refrigerator for a short period so their texture and flavour can become more expressive.
The key is to treat artisan cheese as a fresh food product rather than something that can simply be forgotten at the back of the fridge.
Choosing Cheese Based on the Occasion
One of the easiest ways to narrow down your choices is to start with what you’re planning.
For an Everyday Treat
Choose something versatile that you can enjoy in several ways.
Gruyère, Emmentaler or another Alpine cheese that works both by itself and in meals can be a practical option.
For Entertaining
Look for contrast and presentation.
Combine familiar varieties with something guests may not have tried before. Tête de Moine can add visual interest, while a matured Alpine cheese can provide greater flavour intensity.
For a Shared Dinner
Raclette and fondue are difficult to beat.
Both make cheese the focus of the evening rather than simply another ingredient.
For a Gift
A curated selection removes much of the guesswork.
Alpine Express offers artisan cheese boxes and packs containing carefully selected products, making them a convenient option for cheese lovers and special occasions.
Why Buying Specialist Cheese Is Different
Shopping for specialist cheese isn’t simply about buying a more expensive version of something available at the supermarket.
It’s about access to different producers, varieties, maturation styles and traditional products.
A specialist range also makes discovery easier.
Instead of being limited to the most recognisable varieties, you can explore cheeses that you may never have encountered before.
Alpine Express was created specifically around this idea: making high-quality Swiss artisan cheese more accessible through an online store.
The range includes internationally recognised classics alongside lesser-known Alpine cheeses, giving both new and experienced cheese lovers something to discover.
Read more about what makes Alpine Express artisan cheese worth exploring and how the range is selected and delivered.
Finding Your Favourite Cheese
You don’t need to become a cheese expert before you start exploring.
The best approach is simply to pay attention to what you enjoy.
Do you prefer mild or strong flavours?
Creamy or firm textures?
Young cheese or matured cheese?
Something for slicing or something designed to melt?
Each answer helps narrow the enormous world of cheese into a selection that suits you.
From there, try different producers, ageing periods and varieties. You may begin with Gruyère or Emmentaler and eventually discover that your favourite is an Alpine cheese you had never heard of before.
That process of discovery is a large part of the enjoyment.
Discover Cheese Worth Getting Excited About
Great cheese can turn a simple snack into something memorable, transform a shared dinner and introduce you to generations of Alpine cheesemaking tradition.
Whether you already know exactly what you’re looking for or you’re ready to discover something new, Alpine Express makes it easy to explore authentic Swiss favourites and artisan varieties.
Browse the Alpine Express cheese selection to discover Gruyère, Emmentaler, Appenzeller, Raclette, Tête de Moine, artisan Alpine cheeses and more, individually cut and ready to enjoy.