Cyprus Village Halloumi Cheese Wins 3 Gold Stars in the Great Taste Awards 2026

Our Cyprus Village halloumi has been awarded 3 Gold Stars in the 2026 Great Taste Awards, placing it among a very small group of products recognised at the highest level.

That matters because achieving the top rating is rare. For a cheese as familiar, loved, and widely cooked as halloumi, that kind of recognition says something clear: this is not just a good everyday cheese. It is an exceptional one.

Cyprus Village halloumi has received the highest Great Taste rating in 2026.

A rare 3-gold star result at the 2026 Great Taste Awards

The Great Taste Awards are among the UK’s most respected food and drink awards, judged by panels that assess flavour, texture, aroma, appearance, and overall eating quality.

A 3-star result is the highest rating awarded. With only 2% of 15,000 entries achieving that level in 2026, Cyprus Village halloumi now sits in an elite group of food and drink products.

This recognition is especially meaningful for an everyday ingredient that has to perform in more than one way. Halloumi is tasted raw, grilled, fried, baked, sliced into salads, served hot in sandwiches, and placed at the centre of sharing dishes. It has to hold its shape, develop colour, and keep its distinctive chew without turning rubbery.

The judges’ comments show that Cyprus Village halloumi delivered across all of those points.

What the judges loved about our halloumi cheese

The judging feedback praised both the uncooked and cooked cheese. That is important, because top-quality halloumi should be enjoyable before it reaches the pan, then become even more appealing once heat brings out its aroma and golden crust.

Judges described the appearance as “most attractive, moist and herby” and noted that the uncooked texture was “pleasantly chewy without any rubberiness”. They also picked up on the character of the goats’ milk, describing a pleasing sharpness and “lactic tang”, balanced by the mint.

When cooked, the cheese impressed again. The judges noted an enticing aroma, a hint of sweetness, richness, saltiness, and a satisfying chew.

“This is a great Halloumi.”

That short line says plenty. Great halloumi is simple to recognise when it is on the plate, but hard to make well. It needs the snap, the bounce, the salt, the milk character, and the right finish.

The judges praised the moist, herby appearance and balanced flavour.

Texture, flavour and character stood out

Several comments focused on texture, which is often the difference between average halloumi and memorable halloumi.

The judges found a “good mouthfeel” in both the raw and cooked cheese. They also praised the “great bouncy texture” and a “buttery, salty chew” that filled the palate. That balance matters whether the cheese is served simply grilled with lemon, roasted with vegetables, or used in a restaurant dish where every component has to earn its place.

The flavour comments were just as strong. The judges mentioned:

• A salty, savoury profile

• A rich and creamy finish

• A touch of sweetness when cooked

  
  

One panel said all the judges felt it was “an exceptional tasting product” and added that they had “never tasted such a good halloumi”. Another said they “couldn’t fault this” and finished it rather quickly.

It cooks beautifully, too

The judges specifically praised the cooked cheese, noting that it “looks fabulous when cooked” after developing a golden crust. They also found a delicate aroma and a harmonious balance between typical saltiness and creamy goats’ milk character.

That makes Cyprus Village halloumi especially useful in the kitchen. It can be the centre of a simple meal or a reliable ingredient in more refined cooking.

For home cooks, it means confidence. A few slices in a hot pan can become a quick lunch with tomatoes, cucumber, warm flatbread, and olive oil. It can also be added to grain bowls, skewers, or a weekend brunch.

For chefs, the appeal is consistency. A halloumi that colours well, keeps its bite, and brings balanced salinity is easier to build dishes around. It can sit alongside charred vegetables, citrus, honey, herbs, pulses, or grilled breads without losing its identity.

A golden crust brings out the aroma, richness, and chew.

Why this award feels special

Some awards are technical. This one feels personal, because halloumi is a cheese people have strong feelings about. Everyone knows the disappointment of a version that is too rubbery, too salty, or bland once cooked.

The judges’ notes point to the opposite experience. Cyprus Village halloumi was praised for moisture, chew, aroma, balance, herbs, milk character, and finish. Those are the details that make a familiar cheese feel exciting again.

Try the 2026 3-star Cyprus Village halloumi

This award is a proud moment for Cyprus Village, but the real pleasure is still the same: slicing the cheese, placing it in a hot pan, watching it turn golden, and eating it while the centre is still warm and yielding.

If you'd like to taste the cheese that earned the highest rating in the Great Taste Awards, visit the Cyprus Village halloumi cheese product page. And remember, as we always say when it comes to halloumi - cook it last, eat it first.

The best way to understand the award is to taste our halloumi warm from the pan.

1kg Pack Cyprus Village Halloumi Cheese Special Offer

£20.00

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