Worldwide there are about 4,000 cheeses, of which more than 150 are German.
The German regulation on cheese lay down strict rules for the production, minimum dry matter content, fat content, and other characteristics such as product weight and minimum age for cheeses produced in Germany, which it classifies into groups and varieties.
Annex 1b of Article 8 of these regulations lists seven cheese varieties with geographical indications, of which four now enjoy protection pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.
The three remaining cheeses come within the scope of national legislation.
They are:
- Sonneborner Weichkäse (from the Altenburg and Schmölln rural districts)
- Tiefländer (from the Malchin, Grimmen, Altentreptow, Teterow, Demmin, Güstrow, and Waren rural districts)
- Tollenser (from the Altentreptow, Malchin, Demmin, Neubrandenburg rural districts and Neubrandenburg municipal district)