A single chunk of cheese has broken global records after being sold for a jaw-dropping €36,000 ($42,232; £30,843) at an auction in Asturias, Spain, becoming the most expensive cheese ever sold at auction.
The historic sale took place during the annual auction organized by the Regulatory Council DOP Cabrales, a body renowned for producing one of the world’s strongest and most prized blue cheeses. The event was held in Cabrales, a picturesque town nestled in the northern Spanish region of Asturias.
The record-breaking cheese was crafted by the Ángel Díaz Herrero cheese factory, which earned top honors in the “Mejor Queso del Certamen” – meaning “Best Cheese of the Competition.” Following its win, the cheese was placed on the auction block, where bidding soared to unprecedented levels.
This is not the first time Cabrales cheese has fetched extraordinary sums:
- In 2019, a cheese sold for €20,500 ($22,787)
- In 2018, one reached €2,474 ($2,875)
But this year’s winning bid of €36,000 shattered all previous records, reflecting both the quality of the cheese and the rising prestige of the annual event.
Cabrales cheese is famous for its intense flavor, created through a unique aging process in natural caves in the Picos de Europa mountains. The combination of traditional methods, protected designation of origin (DOP) status, and fierce competition for the title of “Best Cheese” has helped elevate the status of this Asturian delicacy on the global gourmet map.
The cheese itself was described as “flawlessly matured, rich in character, and crafted with meticulous care.”
This remarkable sale not only marks a milestone for Spanish dairy producers but also showcases how traditional artisanal foods are gaining international recognition—and value. The winning bidder’s identity has not been disclosed, but the investment in this rare cheese reflects a growing global appetite for luxury gastronomy.
