Without a doubt, Pepper Jack is one of America’s favourite flavoured cheeses. Read on to learn more about this pressed cheese and discover its connection to Monterey Jack.
Where does Pepper Jack come from?
The origins of Pepper Jack cheese can be traced back to the early 20th century, when Monterey Jack was first created in Monterey, California. Monterey Jack is a pressed uncooked cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It quickly became a popular cheese in the United States. And soon after, variations of the cheese began to appear. As a matter of fact, Pepper Jack was one of the earliest variations of Monterey Jack. And it quickly gained popularity due to its unique flavour.
How is Pepper Jack made?
Cheesemakers around the USA make Pepper Jack by adapting the original Monterey Jack recipe to include spicy peppers. Presently, makers use a range of different peppers just jalapeno is the most popular option. Overall, they age their cheese for a period of 2-3 months. As a result, the cheese develops a semi-hard texture and its flavours meld together harmoniously.
How to serve Pepper Jack
Unsurprisingly, Pepper Jack’s creamy texture is perfect for melting and its mild flavour allows it to be paired with a wide variety of foods. Indeed, you can use this cheese as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, pizzas. Moreover, you can also add it to Macaroni & Cheese, omelettes and quesadillas to add a bit of heat.
Finally, the cheese can also be used in cooking, where it can be used in soups and sauces. One popular recipe is Pepper Jack cheese dip, which is made by mixing Pepper Jack with cream cheese and spicy peppers. Moreover, this dip is perfect for parties and can be served with chips or crackers.
Thank you for reading
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