Our story
Castello® has grown from a cheesemaker’s dream into a whole range of delicious flavours and textures enjoyed across the globe, evolving without ever losing sight of the curiosity that started it all.
Our creatively crafted, presence-worthy cheeses like Blue Mould, White Mould, Havarti, Cheddar, Cream Cheese and more offer unique taste experiences to consumers around the world. And it all began in a small dairy in Denmark in 1893, which set out to rethink what great cheese could be.
What followed was a journey marked by bold experiments, defining milestones, and a constant pursuit of exceptional taste and texture. From those very first experiments to the wide range of cheeses we now make, our history has always been fuelled by a passion for great taste.
Exploring the Castello® range today, you will find dozens of cheese varieties, intriguing flavours and unusual shapes. Each cheese has its own story of multiple trials to perfection, and all offer exceptional flavour and texture sensations to immerse in, to taste, to focus on, and to be in the moment with.
Join us as we look back on the moments that shaped Castello® and continue to inspire us more than 130 years later.
Where it all began
The brand was founded in 1893 by our Danish master cheesemaker Rasmus Tholstrup. He was, in his nature, a restless creator when it came to cheese, and a man who was never content with the ordinary or the ´good enough´. To him, cheese-making was a true science, which, done well, could churn out beautifully delicious results. He loved travelling, meeting other cheese experts, and collecting inspiration and cheese-making secrets. Even the name Castello® was born from his passion for Southern Europe and a desire to bring non-traditional cheese flavours to Denmark.
His son followed in his footsteps and in 1944 was responsible for creating a completely new type of cheese – a brie that, unlike all others, matures from the inside out and hence delivers a uniquely creamy flavour in a very thin, delicate rind: Castello® Creamy White was born.
In 1969 we saw the birth of another unique invention and now the biggest star in our global portfolio – Castello® Creamy Blue. Over the years, our cheese experts continued pioneering new multi-sensory recipes and expanding the range with such creations like Creamy and Aged Havarti, Matured Cheddars, unexpected flavour Cream Cheese Rings and much more.
Today, with all those years of history behind us, we have stayed true to our beginnings – Castello® is a creative cheese brand that wants people to spend more time being in the moment. Because we are not content with the ‘good enough’; we strive for the ‘even better’, the time-stopping moments of elevated taste, and the kind of enjoyment that lasts beyond that final bite. Because life tastes and feels better when you are truly present.
Castello® key milestones
A lot has happened since 1893, with the introduction of new cheeses, new dairies, and new innovations. Here is a quick look at the defining moments that brought Castello® to where it is today.
- 1893 – Castello® is founded by master cheesemaker Rasmus Tholstrup, establishing a tradition of craftsmanship, curiosity, and innovation in Danish cheesemaking.
- 1944 – Henrik Tholstrup creates what becomes Castello® Creamy White, a first-of-its-kind brie with a thin, delicate rind and a subtle, creamy flavour.
- 1958 – Henrik Tholstrup expands the brand by acquiring several dairies across Denmark, strengthening Castello®’s production and presence.
- 1960s – The Tholstrup Cheese Company begins developing the very first Castello® Blue Cheese, marking a new chapter in flavour exploration.
- 1969 – Castello® Creamy Blue is introduced, blending the mild, delicate qualities of a brie with the rich intensity of a blue cheese.
- 2006 – Arla Foods acquires the Tholstrup Cheese Company, bringing Castello® into the Arla family and expanding its reach in the speciality cheese market.
- Today - Castello® continues to innovate, refining classics, building on more than 130 years of flavour and cheese exploration and is sold in more than 50 countries around the globe.
Our story has many layers, and you may still be curious about Castello®. To make things easy, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Keep reading to learn more.
Our origins and cheese range
Rooted in Danish and Scandinavian cheesemaking traditions, Castello® cheeses are made using traditional techniques passed down through generations, combined with a natural curiosity for new ideas. We focus on methods that truly matter, such as careful ripening, close attention to texture, and the patience required for great cheese. This balance gives our cheeses their distinct character and ensures every bite is thoughtfully crafted for your enjoyment.
Castello® offers a wide range of cheeses, from creamy bries and bold blue mould cheeses to crumbly cheddars and many other varieties, each with its own story and way of elevating the moment. Some cheeses are gentle and mellow, others bring sharp complexity, and many fall somewhere in between. To explore the complete selection, visit our product page Simply choose a delicious cheese and prepare an immersive food experience of your own, perfect for elevating any day of the week.
