Bergbaron, gerauchert is a kind of semi-hard cheese with a shelf-life of 90 days. [Photo by Chen Huizhou / For chinadaily.com.cn]

For serious cheese consumers, cheese brands include Gmundner Molkerei eGen, Karntnermilch reg.Gen.m.b.H, Obersteirische Molkerei eGen and Salzburg Milch Gmbh offer a wide range of quality cheese with varied tastes from soft to hard, sour to creamy.

"The strict environmental standards in Austria are reflected not only in the country's picturesque nature but also in the high quality of its food products," said Di. Irene Giner-Reichl, Austrian Ambassador to China.

Giner-Reichl said that as the Chinese middle class' purchasing power rises, their awareness about a healthy lifestyle has sparked demand for safe and high-quality food in recent years.

The Austrian cheese companies seem to have good timing in winning recognition in the Chinese market.