CURD CRAZE. The 2025 Wisconsin Cheese Trends Report – yeah, it's a real thing – is predicting a number of cheese-focused trends for the year. (Photo courtesy WisconsinCheese.com)

You know who’s not worried about having a viral moment on TikTok or Instagram? Cheese. But even if cheese itself isn’t thinking about trends, folks in the industry are, and the 2025 Wisconsin Cheese Trends Report offers a taste of what cheese lovers are likely into this year.

The report highlights five trends or topics, informed by data from Innova Market Insights, plucked out by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW). Those include an increase in retail sales for international and artisanal cheese, including paneer, burrata, and queso quesadilla.

Still, the notable interest in diverse cheeses is a leg-up for Wisconsin, which crafts about half of the United States’s total specialty cheese. The report also states an expected continued interest in “heat and spice,” which cheese can either provide or complement.

One of the other stand-out takeaways from the 2025 report was the top-selling specialty cheese variety: Parmesan. Followed by cheddar, “the enduring popularity of these cheeses reveals a broader consumer desire to celebrate familiar flavors and heritage-inspired products, even as they expand their culinary horizons.”

Top 5 Wisconsin Cheese Trends:

1. Global Cheese Renaissance – "International and artisanal cheeses are experiencing significant growth, driven by consumer demand for bold and unique flavors." 
2. Classic Comforts on Center Stage – "Aged cheddar, the top-awarded Wisconsin Cheese category, exemplifies this trend, with gouda and feta also receiving significant recognition."
3. Nurturing Meaningful Connections – "As one in three consumers say, social connections are a key aspect which helps them to 'feel well.' Food becomes more than sustenance – it is the glue that binds relationships."
4. From Star Ingredients to Star Experiences – "In 2025, consumers prioritize freshness, health benefits, naturalness, nutritional content, price, and shelf life."
5. Mood-Boosting Bites – "More than just a delicious indulgence, cheese offers mood-boosting benefits. Rich in calcium, protein, essential amino acids and tyosine, it can support serotonin production and promote relaxation and emotional well-being."

Whether you’re looking to branch out in your cheesy endeavors or stick to your tried-and-true varieties, it’s likely a Wisconsin producer can provide what you’re looking for. (According to our Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll, the best local joints to purchase cheese include Eau Claire Cheese & Deli, Marieke Gouda, and Ellsworth Cooperative. Get goin’!)

View the 2025 Wisconsin Cheese Trends Report online.