A third consecutive victory in the Cheddar category!
Bécancour, September 22, 2025 – Synonymous with excellence and organic craftsmanship, Fromagerie L’Ancêtre once again distinguished itself at the prestigious Sélection Caseus competition. For the third consecutive year, the company claimed the Cheddar category, this time with its Organic Extra Old Cheddar. These three consecutive victories highlight L’Ancêtre’s consistency and depth of expertise in the art of aging organic cheddar.
The Organic Light Medium Cheddar also triumphed for the second year in a row in the Reduced-Fat Cheese category (less than 20%), confirming the unique balance offered by the cheesemaker between lightness and nutritional richness. This protein-rich cheese contains 9g of protein per 30g serving and only 18% milk fat!
Finally, just a few months after its launch, L’Ancêtre’s brand-new Organic Halloumi has already earned its place among Quebec’s best cheeses by winning the “Grilling Cheese” category.
As the most-nominated company in this 25th edition, L’Ancêtre earned three awards among the four classes in which it was nominated, during the ceremony held September 17 in Quebec City. These victories add to two national distinctions received earlier this year, including four wins at the American Cheese Society Competition, confirming L’Ancêtre’s reputation as a pioneer of sustainable organic practices and as an ambassador of Quebec’s terroir, respectful of nature.
According to Pascal Désilets, President and CEO:
“It is a great source of pride for the entire team at L’Ancêtre to win, for the third consecutive year, the title of best cheddar in Quebec — the most widely consumed cheese category in Canada. This recognition adds to the award we received last August at one of the most prestigious cheese competitions in the United States, where our cheddar also won first place. We are proud, once again, to demonstrate that high-quality cheese can be made according to organic values, with respect for the environment and animal welfare. The accumulation of these recognitions results from the combination of cheesemaking expertise developed at L’Ancêtre and the use of superior-quality milk from cows fed primarily on grass.”
Caseus 2025 Award-Winning Cheeses:
Organic Light Medium Cheddar
Reduced-Fat Cheese (less than 20%)
Winner of this category last year, this organic cheese aged for a minimum of 6 months has a reduced milk fat content (18%). It combines lightness and nutritional richness with 9g of protein per 30g serving and is made from partially skimmed unpasteurized milk.
Organic Halloumi – Grilling Cheese
The first certified organic halloumi in Canada, presently available in Quebec since May 2025 (and soon to be launched in the rest of Canada), this grilling cheese stands out for its less salty taste compared to others on the market.
Organic Extra Old Cheddar – Cheddar Cheese
This cheddar is carefully aged for at least 18 months from unpasteurized milk to preserve all the aromatic richness of a fine aged cheese. It is distinguished by a more pronounced nutty flavor and a fruity finish. Its smooth yet slightly crumbly texture may contain a few delicate crystals, a natural result of its long maturation process.
Thanks to their natural aging process, L’Ancêtre’s aged cheddars (including both award-winning cheddars) are naturally lactose-free.
About Fromagerie L’Ancêtre
At Fromagerie L’Ancêtre, we craft and market authentic dairy products with no compromises. Organic dairy farming practices have been at the heart of our company since our creation in 1992 by certified organic dairy producers. Pesticide, herbicide, and synthetic fertilizer-free farming is our standard, as is ensuring the well-being of our cows, who enjoy pasture access as soon as the weather permits and benefit from superior-quality feed, mainly organic forage from rich, healthy soils.
For more information about L’Ancêtre products: fromagerieancetre.com
About Sélection CASEUS
Created in 1998, Sélection Caseus celebrates the excellence of Quebec cheeses and highlights the expertise of those who make them. The competition aims to introduce consumers to the creativity of cheesemakers, expressed through a multitude of innovative, high-quality products.
Sélection Caseus is the only competition dedicated to recognizing and showcasing cheeses produced in Quebec. It is open to all cheesemakers, regardless of the size of their company, the type of cheese they produce, or the type of milk they use. The contest is organized by the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec.
On May 28, the sensory evaluation for the 25th edition of the prestigious Sélection Caseus competition took place. A total of 211 cheeses from 46 cheesemakers were submitted to the expertise of cheese judges. At the end of this rigorous process, 63 finalist cheeses were selected, proudly representing 14 regions of Quebec. The winners of the Quebec cheese competition were announced on September 17 in Quebec City.