When it comes to cheese, most of us are familiar with the usual suspects: cheddar, mozzarella and Swiss. But there’s a whole world of cow’s milk cheeses out there just waiting to tantalize your taste buds. Let’s explore ten unique cheeses that might be new to you and find out how you can enjoy them at home.
Looking Glass Creamery’s Ellington: The North Carolina Delight
What It Is: Ellington is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese from Looking Glass Creamery in North Carolina. It has a rich, buttery texture and a tangy, savory flavor with a touch of sweetness. Looking Glass Creamery, based in Fairview, North Carolina, produces Ellington using milk from local farms. Their commitment to quality and craftsmanship results in cheeses that reflect the character and territory of the region.
How to Enjoy: Ellington is fantastic on a cheese board, paired with fresh fruit and honey. It also melts beautifully, making it a great addition to grilled sandwiches or as a topping for roasted vegetables.
Taleggio: The Italian Gem
What It Is: Taleggio is an Italian cheese with a soft, creamy texture and a tangy, slightly fruity flavor. Its washed rind gives it a distinctive aroma that can be a bit strong for some, but don’t let that scare you away! Taleggio has been made since Roman times, and today, it’s crafted by dedicated dairy farmers in the Lombardy region of Italy, who continue to use traditional methods passed down through generations.
How to Enjoy: Taleggio melts beautifully, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, risottos and even pizza. Pair it with a glass of crisp white wine or a fruity red, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.
Boxcarr Handmade Cheese’s Cottonbell: North Carolina Artisan
What It Is: This is a pasteurized cow’s milk cheese with a bloomy rind, perfect for those who enjoy a buttery and mild flavor profile. It’s produced by Boxcarr Handmade Cheese in Cedar Grove, North Carolina, and it’s an award-winning cheese that captures the essence of rich, high-butterfat cow’s milk.
How to Enjoy: The cheese offers aromas of grass and almonds, making it a fantastic addition to any cheese board. Pair it with roasted vegetables and a crisp Chardonnay for an elevated experience.
Pleasant Ridge Reserve: The American Artisan
What It Is: Pleasant Ridge Reserve is an award-winning cheese from Wisconsin, made in the tradition of Alpine cheeses. It has a firm texture and a complex flavor profile, with notes of fruit and nuts. Uplands Cheese Company in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, produces Pleasant Ridge Reserve using milk from grass-fed cows. Their commitment to sustainable farming and artisanal cheese-making has earned them numerous accolades.
How to Enjoy: This cheese shines on a cheese board, paired with apples, pears, and a touch of honey. It also grates well over roasted vegetables or can be melted into a luscious cheese sauce.
Red Leicester: The British Classic
What It Is: Red Leicester is a firm, crumbly cheese from England, known for its vibrant orange color, which comes from the addition of annatto. It has a milder flavor than cheddar but with a rich, tangy finish. Dairy farmers in the Leicestershire region have been producing this cheese since the 17th century, maintaining a proud tradition that highlights their craftsmanship and dedication.
How to Enjoy: This cheese is a fantastic addition to any cheese board, and it melts wonderfully in dishes like macaroni and cheese or on top of burgers.
Locksley Farmstead Cheese’s The Merry Men Manchego: The Virginian Beauty
What It Is: Merry Men is a Manchego-style cheese. It is a savory and soft cheese from Locksley Farmstead Cheese Co. in Virginia. Aged for at least ix months, The Merry Men Manchego boasts a creamy and tangy taste with notes of melted butter and beef broth. Locksley Farmstead Cheese is a 412-acre sustainable working farm located in Loudoun County, Virginia. One of the last dairy farms in the area, Locksley continues the great legacy and reward that comes from the work they do and the products they make.
How to Enjoy: A perfect accompaniment to a hearty country stew. The piquant notes may remind you of parmesan, but its melt in your mouth texture and citrusy flavors make it truly unique on a cheeseboard or as a stand-alone.
Keswick Creamery’s Blue Moon: The Pennsylvania Treasure
What It Is: Blue Moon is an amazing brie with a line of Bleu in the middle. This unique take on two well-known cheese results in a super creamy cheese with a subtle hint of blue. Keswick Creamery is located on the family’s dairy farm near Newburg, Pennsylvania in the beautiful Cumberland Valley. The milk for their cheeses comes from the farm’s registered Jersey cows.
How to Enjoy: This cheese is perfect to spread on crackers or rustic bread. Make it the center of your next cheeseboard or use it as the base for a truly unique grilled cheese sandwich.
Grana Padano: The Italian Classic
What It Is: Grana Padano is a hard, crumbly cheese from Northern Italy, similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano but with a milder, less sharp flavor. It has a rich, nutty taste that’s perfect for a variety of dishes. This cheese is produced in the Po River Valley, where dairy farmers have perfected their craft over centuries. Their commitment to quality and tradition shines through in every bite.
How to Enjoy: Grate it over pasta, risotto, or soups for an extra burst of flavor. It also makes a great addition to cheese boards, paired with figs or grapes.
Rogue Creamery’s Smokey Blue: The American Innovator
What It Is: This unique blue cheese from Oregon’s Rogue Creamery is cold-smoked over hazelnut shells, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor that complements its creamy, tangy base. Rogue Creamery, based in Central Point, Oregon, is known for its innovative approach to cheese-making. Their dedication to quality and sustainability has made them a beloved name in the American cheese scene.
How to Enjoy: Crumble Smokey Blue over a steak salad, or pair it with figs and nuts for a delightful cheese plate. Its bold flavor also works wonderfully in a creamy blue cheese dressing.
Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt Tam: The Californian Delight
What It Is: Mt Tam is a triple-cream cheese from Cowgirl Creamery in California. It boasts a rich, buttery texture and a mellow, creamy flavor that’s utterly irresistible. Cowgirl Creamery, located in Petaluma, California, sources organic milk from local dairies in Marin County. Their dedication to quality and sustainability has made them a favorite among cheese lovers.
How to Enjoy: This cheese is perfect for spreading on crackers or fresh baguette slices. It also pairs wonderfully with sparkling wine and fresh berries.
These incredible cheeses wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of dairy farmers. From the rolling hills of Italy to the lush pastures of the United States, these farmers pour their hearts into their craft, ensuring that we get to enjoy some of the finest cheeses in the world. Run to your nearest gourmet grocery store and stock-up! Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll be supporting a tradition of dairy farming that spans generations. Happy cheese tasting!