NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted three award-winning Indian cheeses — Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor — to the President of Switzerland, offering a flavourful glimpse into India’s evolving artisanal cheese-making tradition.
The choice of gift carries particular significance in Switzerland, a country internationally celebrated for its rich cheese culture and iconic varieties. By presenting three distinctive Indian cheeses, Prime Minister Modi highlighted not only India’s culinary diversity but also the growing recognition of Indian cheesemakers on the international stage.
The three cheeses represent different styles and flavour profiles, while drawing inspiration from global cheese-making traditions and incorporating an unmistakably Indian identity.
Gulmarg: Award-winning French-style Brie
Among the three cheeses presented to the Swiss President is Gulmarg, a French-style Brie known for its soft and creamy texture.
Made from pasteurised cow’s milk, Gulmarg has a heart-shaped form and is covered by a characteristic snowy-white rind. Its flavour profile combines earthy and mushroom-like notes, reflecting the characteristics associated with traditional Brie while showcasing the capabilities of Indian artisanal cheese-making.
Gulmarg has also earned international recognition. It received a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil, placing it among the standout cheeses recognised at the international competition.
The award adds to the growing profile of Indian speciality cheeses that are increasingly finding appreciation beyond the domestic market.
Konark: French Tomme-style cheese with international recognition
The second cheese, Konark, is a French Tomme-style variety distinguished by its rustic appearance and natural rind.
It has a supple texture and delivers earthy and savoury flavours, followed by a characteristic lemony finish.
Konark has already established a strong international record. It won Gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards in Norway and subsequently secured a Silver award in Switzerland in 2025.
Its international accolades underline the ability of Indian cheesemakers to produce cheeses that can compete in highly regarded global competitions while retaining their own character.
Yeoor: An Indian take on mountain-style cheese
The third variety, Yeoor, takes inspiration from the mountain cheeses traditionally associated with the Alpine region.
It is an aged cheese inspired by Swiss Gruyère and is matured for approximately eight to nine months. The extended maturation allows the cheese to develop a complex profile featuring nutty, sweet and herbaceous notes.
Yeoor’s appearance further sets it apart. Its rind is decorated with rose petals and fennel, giving the cheese a distinctive character that brings together Indian ingredients and Alpine cheese-making influences.
The cheese is also noted for its excellent melting properties, making it suitable for preparations such as fondue and grilled dishes.
India’s growing artisanal cheese story
The three cheeses together demonstrate the increasingly diverse landscape of Indian cheese-making.
While India is traditionally associated with dairy products such as paneer, chhena, khoa and a wide variety of milk-based sweets, artisanal cheese production has been developing a distinct space within the country’s evolving food industry.
Indian cheesemakers are experimenting with European and Alpine techniques, including styles inspired by Brie, Tomme and Gruyère, while incorporating local ingredients, climatic influences and distinctive ageing methods.
The result is a growing range of cheeses that combine international craftsmanship with an Indian identity.
A flavourful diplomatic gesture
The presentation of Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor to the Swiss President also carries a cultural dimension.
Switzerland’s identity is closely associated with its cheese-making heritage, from Gruyère and Emmental to numerous regional varieties. Against this backdrop, gifting award-winning Indian cheeses serves as a subtle showcase of India’s own culinary innovation and its expanding presence in the world of speciality foods.
Rather than simply representing dairy products, the three cheeses tell a broader story about India’s ability to absorb global influences, adapt them to local contexts and create products capable of earning international recognition.
Gulmarg’s Super Gold at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil, Konark’s Gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards and Silver in Switzerland in 2025, and Yeoor’s distinctive Indian-Alpine profile together underline the growing ambition of India’s artisanal food sector.
India takes its cheese story to the world
The gift comes at a time when Indian food products are increasingly being showcased on international platforms as part of the country’s broader culinary and cultural outreach.
Through Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor, India’s cheese-making tradition gets an opportunity to be presented in one of the world’s most celebrated cheese-producing countries.
The three varieties also offer a compelling example of how Indian producers are creating globally inspired products without losing their distinctive identity.
From the creamy French-style Gulmarg, to the rustic and savoury Konark, and the aged, Alpine-inspired Yeoor, the cheeses reflect three different approaches to India’s expanding artisanal cheese movement.
The gift to the Swiss President thus goes beyond a culinary exchange. It puts the spotlight on a lesser-known but increasingly accomplished facet of India’s food story — award-winning Indian cheese-making with a global ambition and an unmistakably Indian character.
