In the United States, Wisconsin is recognized for being the land of incredible cheese. But now, the humble Northern state can also claim it has the best cheese in the world.
That's because it is home to a smear-ripened hard cheese that won best in show at the World Championship Cheese Contest, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.
The Wisconsin cheese, called Roth Grand Cru Surchoix, is produced in Monroe by Fitchburg-based Emmi Roth USA. It beat out 2,955 other cheeses, including many from Europe.
This is a huge win for the United States, as it is the first time in almost 30 years that the country earns the top spot in the prestigious World Championship Cheese Contest.
First runner up went to a smear-ripened semi-soft cheese made by Johannes Schefer of Switzerland while second-runner up was an aged Gouda from Friesland Campina Export in the Netherlands.