Switzerland means cheese! The country's name has a long tradition of more than 450 types of cheese. Three special artisanal cheeses of India – 'Gulmarg', 'Konark' and 'Yeor' have reached the hands of Swiss President Guy Permelin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PM Modi) presented these three things to him. Handcrafted by Eleftheria Cheese, Mumbai's award-winning cheese maker, each of these three cheeses is inspired by European cheese-making traditions, but with its own distinct Indian flavor.
Gulmarg: Heart Shaped 'Brie Cheese'
'Gulmarg', modeled on French brie cheese, is made from pasteurized cow's milk. As the name suggests, its shape is quite eye-catching – heart-shaped. The outside has a pale white, soft and flowery layered 'bloomy rind'. The inside is very soft and smooth, with a buttery creaminess to the taste along with a slight hint of mushroom and earthy flavor.
This cheese is usually fermented for 2-3 weeks. Gulmarg has already attracted attention at the international level. It received the 'Super Gold' award in the 2026 'Mandial do Quezo do Brasil'.
Konark: French 'tome' with an Indian touch
Konark is modeled after the French Tome cheese. Its outer part is relatively rough, the inner part is soft and smooth. Its taste has an 'ardy note', i.e. a mild earthy flavor. The taste of this cheese is not sweet, but slightly sour. Konark cheese won gold at the 'World Cheese Awards' in Norway in 2023 and silver in Switzerland in 2025. This cheese can be easily used in cooking. Thawed well, it is used in grilled cheese sandwiches, sourdough toast, or other baked dishes.
Yeure: Inspired by 'Swiss Gruyere'
Of the three, Yeo's stands out the most. In the style of Swiss Gruyere cheese, your cheese is aged for eight to nine months. Its taste can be said to be somewhat nutty. And at the same time mild sweet and herbal taste is available. But what makes Yeure unique from the rest is its Indian character. The rind of the cheese is rich in dried rose petals and fennel. It melts well and can be used in fondue, grilled dishes or other hot dishes.
Gulmarg, Konark and Yor—take inspiration from famous cheeses like French Brie, Tome or Swiss Gruyere—but they're not mere imitations. Each cheese has its own taste, aging method is different. In a cheese-rich country like Switzerland, these three Indian cheeses have established their own brand of Indian artisans beyond the usual courtesy gifts.