10 Best Queso de Bola in the Philippines 2026 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
Queso de bola is popular amongst Filipinos all year round, especially during the holidays. The Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world, and some already start preparing their decor as soon as September rolls around. Why not check out the best Edam cheeses or queso de bolas, the cheese ball with red wax coating, as early as now?
It has come to be considered a good omen—the round shape symbolizes money, and the red color stands for good luck. In this article, we will help you choose the best queso de bola with our buying guide reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales and a list of recommended products.
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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How to Choose a Queso de Bola - Buying Guide
- Check the manufacturing date to get a fresher product
- Select the flavor profile that suits your taste
- Pick your preferred texture of queso de bola
- Go for aged queso de bola if you prefer a strong smell and taste
- Check out other forms of queso de bola like spreads, blocks, and slices
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Check the Manufacturing Date to Get a Fresher Product
Thanks to the thick, red paraffin wax coating, queso de bola has a long shelf life since it stays protected from molds and bacteria that can cause contamination. Generally, it only hardens when the wax coating is removed and the cheese is left out in the open. It won't spoil quickly, as long as it's stored properly and not exposed to direct sunlight or warmer temperature.
When purchasing a queso de bola, look for the manufacturing date on the label or the product description. The more recent the date is, the fresher and better your product will be. An excellent queso de bola can last up to 4 months in the fridge or 8 months in the freezer without losing the aroma, taste, and texture.
Select the Flavor Profile That Suits Your Taste
If you think that queso de bola is a one-note experience, you're in for a surprise. Some brands of queso de bola have a sweet and almost fruity hint. Others are on the nutty and fragrant side. With this in mind, we recommend checking out different reviews regarding the product as a basis to decide.
On rare occasions, you can find free tastings of cheese in supermarkets and malls. But if you prefer to order online, you can see the flavor profiles on the product descriptions of the company websites or article features in online publications. You can also watch online product review videos to have a better assessment.
Pick Your Preferred Texture of Queso de Bola
Queso de bola is typically classified as a semi-hard cheese. But in reality, the texture can vary and change depending on the length of the aging process. The older the cheese is, the harder it gets. Keep reading for more information about queso de bola textures.
Soft Queso de Bola if You Want Something Easier to Melt
If you want a soft type of queso de bola, purchase one that is labeled as "soft" or "fresh." It is light-flavored and pretty easy to melt, perfect as a topping. It is also great on its own as a cocktail appetizer or bread filling. However, this type is more difficult to find and is usually available only in specialty stores.
Semi-Hard Queso de Bola Is Perfect for Slices and Shredding
Most, if not all, of the queso de bola, sold in stores during the holiday season, come with a semi-hard texture. They are not as quick-melting as the fresh queso de bola, but on the upside, they are not as challenging to handle as the hard ones. This texture is perfect for sandwiches, as they can add a bit of a unique texture.
Hard Queso de Bola for Snacking and Topping Dishes
Lastly, you can get your queso de bola in the form of hard cheese. This kind is almost crumbly when sliced. This provides another layer of texture and is great as a topping as it provides a concentrated punch of intense aroma. In addition, you can mix it into other sauce dishes like spaghetti or caldereta.
Unfortunately, a slice of hard Edam cheese is difficult to soften, even in high temperatures. So, it is best to cut it into bite-size pieces for your grazing platter along with other cold cuts and wine. Alternatively, you can grate them to melt them quickly as a pizza topping or mix it with mayonnaise for a flavorful spread.
Go for Aged Queso de Bola if You Prefer a Strong Smell and Taste
All aged cheeses have their respective unique aromas. The smell can range from funky to almost fruity, depending on the length of the aging process. Remember that the shorter the aging period, the lighter the flavor.
Queso de bola usually has a sharper taste compared to regular cheeses. As a result, more people prefer aged cheese on grazing platters and cheeseboards, served with cold cuts and wines. However, some still opt to add them to their recipes in smaller quantities.
Check Out Other Forms of Queso de Bola Like Spreads, Blocks, and Slices
As mentioned earlier, queso de bola is typically available in the market during the Yuletide season. However, these ball-shaped cheeses become more difficult to find once the holidays are over. But don't worry! You can still get a taste of queso de bola because several companies offer Edam cheese blocks and slices that you can order even after the Christmas season.
Alternatively, some independent online shops offer queso de bola spreads that are available all year round! You can usually find them as creamed Edam cheese in a bottle jar, usually mixed with mayonnaise, finely chopped pimiento peppers, and seasoned with spices. Say goodbye to slicing because these are easy to spread on bread!
10 Best Queso de Bola to Buy Online
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | Details | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flavor Profile | Texture | Aged | Form | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Baby Matured Aged Edam Cheese Marca Pato |  | No.1 | Mild, Salty, Buttery | Smooth, Firm | 3+ Months | Ball | 0.6 kg | |
2 | Queso de Bola Marca Piña |  | No.2 | Mild, Salty, Buttery | Firm, Smooth | 1-2 Months | Ball | 0.6 kg | |
3 | Queso de Bola Danes |  | No.3 | Mild, Creamy, Salty | Smooth, Firm | 2-3 Months | Ball | 0.35 kg | |
4 | Edam Classics President |  | No.4 | Mild, Creamy, Slightly Nutty | Smooth, Firm, Semi-Hard | 2-3 Months | Block, Ball | 2 kg | |
5 | Queso de Bola Magnolia |  | No.5 | Mild, Creamy, Slightly Salty | Smooth, Semi-Hard | 1-2 Months | Ball | 0.6 kg | |
6 | Quezo De Bola Pimiento Gourmet Cheese Spread Fundy's |  | No.6 | Mild, Creamy, Salty | Spreadable, Creamy | Spread | 0.2 kg | ||
7 | Queso de Bola Spread Nanay Luisa’s |  | No.7 | Rich, Salty, Creamy | Smooth, Spreadable | Spread | 0.2 kg | ||
8 | Truffle de bola Cheese Spread Fundy's |  | No.8 | Salty, Truffle Aroma | Smooth, Spreadable | Spread | 0.2 kg | ||
9 | Smoked Queso de Bola Isabel's |  | No.9 | Rich, Salty, Slightly Nutty | Spreadable, Semi-Firm | Spread | 0.19 kg | ||
10 | Basil Pesto de Bola Gourmet Cheese Spread Fundy's |  | No.10 | Creamy, Slightly Nutty, Rich, Salty | Spreadable, Creamy | Spread | 0.2 kg | ||
Marca Pato Baby Matured Aged Edam Cheese
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Salty, Buttery |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, Firm |
| Aged | 3+ Months |
| Form | Ball |
| Net Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Salty, Buttery |
|---|---|
| Texture | Firm, Smooth |
| Aged | 1-2 Months |
| Form | Ball |
| Net Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Creamy, Salty |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, Firm |
| Aged | 2-3 Months |
| Form | Ball |
| Net Weight | 0.35 kg |
Semi-hard ripened Edam cheese from pasteurized cow's milk delivers the classic dry, salty flavor Filipinos expect from holiday queso de bola
Made in the Netherlands with microbial rennet for consistent texture when sliced, grated, or cubed
FDA-registered high-risk food product with 40% fat in dry matter content works well in sandwiches, pasta sauces, or as a grated topping for savory dishes
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Creamy, Slightly Nutty |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, Firm, Semi-Hard |
| Aged | 2-3 Months |
| Form | Block, Ball |
| Net Weight | 2 kg |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Creamy, Slightly Salty |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, Semi-Hard |
| Aged | 1-2 Months |
| Form | Ball |
| Net Weight | 0.6 kg |
Fundy'sQuezo De Bola Pimiento Gourmet Cheese Spread
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Creamy, Salty |
|---|---|
| Texture | Spreadable, Creamy |
| Aged | |
| Form | Spread |
| Net Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Flavor Profile | Rich, Salty, Creamy |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, Spreadable |
| Aged | |
| Form | Spread |
| Net Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Flavor Profile | Salty, Truffle Aroma |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, Spreadable |
| Aged | |
| Form | Spread |
| Net Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Flavor Profile | Rich, Salty, Slightly Nutty |
|---|---|
| Texture | Spreadable, Semi-Firm |
| Aged | |
| Form | Spread |
| Net Weight | 0.19 kg |
Fundy'sBasil Pesto de Bola Gourmet Cheese Spread
| Flavor Profile | Creamy, Slightly Nutty, Rich, Salty |
|---|---|
| Texture | Spreadable, Creamy |
| Aged | |
| Form | Spread |
| Net Weight | 0.2 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
What Kind of Cheese Is Queso de Bola?
Queso de bola is made of Edam cheese, a semi-hard aged cheese from the Netherlands, wrapped in red wax or sometimes parrafin. However, the ones manufactured for the Philippines are the saltier kind.
How to Eat Queso de Bola?
There are many ways to eat queso de bola. It can be used as an alternative to parmesan cheese, incorporated into dips and cheese sauces, or simply paired with crackers.
How to Store Queso de Bola?
It's best to store queso de bola by keeping the red wax on the cheese for added protection. Before placing it in the refrigerator, wrap it in foil and then plastic wrap. If you have grated cheese, put it in an airtight container before storing it in the freezer.
Prepare Your Noche Buena Must-Haves in Advance
Complete your Noche Buena grocery shopping list with our article reviews below. We have a list of recommendations for exceptional Christmas hams, spaghetti noodles, and sauces that you can save in your pantry as early as now!
Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Editor & Re-editor: R. Umlas, B. Fajardo
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
