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Monterey Jack (Original American Cheese From California)

Cheese Atlas — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 04:53:24 +0000

Cheese lovers are always on the lookout for new and exciting varieties to try, and Monterey Jack cheese is a perfect option. This mild and creamy cheese is a popular choice in many dishes and is known for its versatility. In this post, we will explore the origins, production, taste, pairings, and alternative options for Monterey Jack cheese.

What is Monterey Jack?

Monterey Jack is a pressed uncooked, creamy cheese that originated in the United States, specifically in Monterey, California. It is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, buttery flavour and a smooth texture that makes it a versatile cheese for a variety of dishes.

As a matter of fact, Monterey Jack cheese can be found in various forms, including Aged (Dry Jack), peppered and smoked. Pepper Jack cheese is a popular variation that includes small pieces of spicy jalapeño peppers mixed into the cheese. On the other hand, Smoked Monterey Jack cheese has a distinct smoky flavour and is often used in recipes that call for a smoky cheese flavour.

How is Monterey Jack made?

Monterey Jack cheese is made by adding a starter culture of lactic acid bacteria to milk. Once the milk has been heated to the right temperature, rennet is added to coagulate the milk and form curds. Then, the cheesemaker cuts the curds into small pieces, and drain off the whey.

The curds are then cooked and stirred until they reach the right consistency, after which the cheese is salted and moulded into its final shape. The cheese is then aged for a short period of time, typically a few weeks to a few months.

Flavour profile

Monterey Jack cheese has a mild, slightly nutty flavour that is not overpowering. Overall, it has a creamy texture and melts easily, making it a popular choice for dishes such as quesadillas, nachos, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Serving guide

Monterey Jack cheese pairs well with a wide range of foods. It is often used in Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, such as tacos and burritos, and is a great topping for nachos.

The cheese also goes well with crackers, sliced apples, and grapes. In addition, Monterey Jack cheese is a great melting cheese, making it perfect for dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches and cheeseburgers.

Alternatives to Monterey Jack

If you’re looking for alternatives to Monterey Jack cheese, here are three options to consider:

Colby: Colby cheese is similar to Monterey Jack in texture and flavour. It is a mild cheese that is great for melting and is often used in dishes such as macaroni and cheese.
Pepper Jack: Pepper Jack cheese is a spicier version of Monterey Jack that has been flavoured with jalapeño peppers. It has a slightly spicy flavour that adds a kick to dishes.
Gouda: Gouda cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is similar to Monterey Jack in texture. It has a slightly nutty flavour and can be smoked to add additional flavour. Gouda is a great cheese to use in sandwiches and grilled cheese.

Thank you for reading

Thank you for reading this post about yet another amazing artisanal cheese. Have you tried this cheese before? Drop us a comment below with your thoughts.

If you enjoy learning about new cheeses, you can subscribe to our newsletter below. You will hear from us about once a week as we share new cheese profiles with you.

Finally, keep scrolling to find some more cheeses and recipes that have been recommended for you. Keep it cheesy!

The post Monterey Jack (Original American Cheese From California) appeared first on Cheese Atlas.

Pepper Jack

Cheese Atlas — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 01:14:36 +0000

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

Thank you for reading this post about yet another amazing artisanal cheese. Have you tried this cheese before? Drop us a comment below with your thoughts.

If you enjoy learning about new cheeses, you can subscribe to our newsletter below. You will hear from us about once a week as we share new cheese profiles with you.

Finally, keep scrolling to find some more cheeses and recipes that have been recommended for you. Keep it cheesy!

The post Pepper Jack appeared first on Cheese Atlas.

Mt Tam: Cowgirl Creamery’s Signature Cheese

Cheese Atlas — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 06:48:49 +0000

Mt Tam is an organic triple cream cheese with a heart. It is made by Cowgirl Creamery in California, USA.

Two friends take a trip to San Francisco

In 1976, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith took a hippie trip to San Francisco after graduating from the University of Tennessee. The food scene was about to take off in the Bay Area and they wanted to be part of it.

They both made a name for themselves working in celebrated kitchens around the area. However, by the early 90’s, they wanted a new challenge.

Setting up Tomales Bay Foods

Actually, the challenge they were looking for found them in Pt. Reyes Station. The picturesque township lies about an hour north of San Francisco and would be home to their wholesale distribution business, Tomales Bay Foods.

At their new premises, they found a small cheesemaking room. One of their dear friends, Ellen Straus, convinced them to start making cheese.

An adventure that started with Fromage Blanc and Cottage cheese would eventually lead them to their signature cheese, Mt Tam.

An original American cheese

Named after local icon, Mount Tamalpais, in Marin Country, Mt Tam is a triple cream, organic, bloomy rind cheese.

Moreover, it is made with single source milk from the Tresch Family Farm which is part of the Straus Family Creamery’s network.

What does it taste like?

When young, Mt Tam displays notes of crème fraîche and cultured butter. As it ages, its texture breaks down further and the flavour develops notes of grass and white mushroom.

How to pair Mt Tam

This gorgeous American triple cream pairs playfully with Champagne, Prosecco, local Californian Chardonnay and a sparkling dry Cider.

The post Mt Tam: Cowgirl Creamery’s Signature Cheese appeared first on Cheese Atlas.

Humboldt Fog

Cheese Atlas — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 09:38:56 +0000

The Original American Original

Humboldt Fog is a soft goat’s milk cheese made by Cypress Grove Cheese in California, USA.

The Creamery was established in the 1980’s by Mary Keehn. Unbeknownst to her, her creamery was about to play a pivotal role in the artisanal cheese movement in the United States.

What North Americans perceived as cheese was shifting. Moreover, it was moving from orange slices wrapped in clear plastic to small batch farmhouse cheeses made and matured with love and care.

Mary had a dream

Conceived in a dream by Mary Keehn, this masterpiece pioneered the way for soft-ripened goat cheese in America.

Effectively, the cheesemaker handcrafts each wheel using pasteurised goat’s milk and microbial rennet. Once the cheese is formed, an affineur matures the wheels for a minimum of 5 weeks.

That line of ash

Actually, the cheese is instantly recognisable due to its paper thin edible white rind and that delicate line of vegetable ash.

On the palate, you will detect buttermilk and fresh cream, as well as flowery notes and grassy undertones. Also, look out for a crisp citrous finish. As the cheese ages, its creamline grows and its flavour deepens.

Remarkably, this cheese won first-place awards from the American Cheese Society in 1998, 2002 and 2005.

How to pair Humboldt Fog

Enjoy at room temperature all year round with a glass of Farmhouse Ale or Sour, a fresh Rosé or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

The post Humboldt Fog appeared first on Cheese Atlas.

Midnight Moon

Cheese Atlas — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:05:04 +0000

Dutch by birth, aged in the US

Midnight Moon is a goat’s milk Gouda that is made in the Netherlands. Afterwards, it travels across the Atlantic and comes to mature at Cypress Grove Creamery in Humboldt county, Northern California.

The Creamery, world-famous for their Humboldt Fog soft chèvre, was established in the 1980’s by Mary Keehn. Unbeknownst to her, her creamery was about to play a pivotal role in the artisanal cheese movement in the United States.

What North Americans perceived as cheese was shifting. Moreover, it was moving from orange slices wrapped in clear plastic to small batch farmhouse cheeses made and matured with love and care.

That Humboldt air

Young wheels of this cheese are sent to the Creamery for maturation. The unique salt heavy air in Northern California leads to the creation of a cheese that is completely different to its Dutch counterparts that are aged locally.

Surrounded by an elegant dark purple waxed rind, its ivory pâte is dense and creamy. In addition to this, the cheese is peppered with tiny crystals which impart a bit of crunch. Its flavour is mildly savoury with notes of brown butter and hazelnuts. Furthermore, it has a seductive sweet caramel finish which makes this cheese very more-ish.

How to pair Midnight Moon

Pair this beauty with a refreshing full-bodied Amber Ale or a glass of Syrah or Zinfandel.

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