Best Western American Semi-hard Cheese Types
Monterey Jack is an American cheese made from cow's milk. It originates from Monterey in California, where it was first made by Spanish missionaries under the name queso blanco pais, but it was later taken from them by David Jack, who bought nearly all of Monterey in 1859 and renamed the cheese to Jack's Cheese, soon to be called Monterey Jack's Cheese.
Historical shenanigans aside, this semi-hard cheese has a firm, open, supple, and compact texture and a natural rind. It is pale yellow in color, while the flavors are mild and buttery. Monterey Jack also melts exceptionally well. It has a few subvarieties, such as Dry Jack and Pepper Jack.
Pair with
VARIATIONS OF Monterey Jack
THE BEST Monterey Jack Cheeses
Cabot Creamery
Cabot Monterey Jack
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place 2024, 2014, 2004
Rumiano Cheese Company
Monterey Jack
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place 2010
Joseph Farms Cheese
Pepper Jack Cheese-monterey Jack W/jalapeno Peppers
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class 2016
Joseph Farms Cheese
Monterey Jack Cheese
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place 2024
Goat Gouda is an American semi-hard cheese produced in California. This Gouda-style cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and cream. The rind is natural, and the texture is dense, firm, and smooth, sometimes slightly grainy. The aroma is sweet and the flavors are caramel-like, milky, and nutty.
Goat Gouda ages for about 5 months before it's ready for consumption. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Chardonnay and serve it with sour cherry preserve.
Habanero Cheddar is an American cheese hailing from Oregon. This semi-hard cheese is pressed into blocks and it's made from pasteurized cow's milk, habanero chili peppers, and spices. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is crumbly and creamy.
The aroma is spicy, while the flavors are spicy, tangy, and savory. The cheese melts well so it's often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, but it can also be melted over burgers and nachos.
Originating from Seattle, Beecher's Flagship is a semi-hard cheese made with cow's milk. It is left to age for a minimum of 15 months until it develops a creamy and crumbly texture and a robust nutty flavor. Apart from this signature cheese, there is also a special version called Flagship Reserve, which is made with the last milk curds.
Due to the preparation process, it is richer in flavor and texture, and the cheese wheels are wrapped in cheesecloth before being left to age for at least a year. Interestingly, there is also a subvariety of Flagship Reserve, called Yule Käse, which is left to age for 13 months in blackberry honey and red wine, giving it a nutty, caramel-like flavor with notes of berries and honey.
Pair with
Seascape is an American cheese hailing from Paso Robles, California, where it's produced by Central Coast Creamery. The cheese is made from a blend of pasteurized cow's and goat's milk. It's typically left to age for 4 months before consumption.
Underneath its natural rind, the texture of this cheddar-style cheese is silky smooth and crumbly. The aromas are pleasant, while the flavors are tangy with undertones of butter and caramel, and a sharp cheddar-like finish. It's recommended to pair Seascape with a glass of Zinfandel on the side.
Pair with
THE BEST Seascape Cheeses
Smokey Oregon Blue is an American blue cheese produced in Oregon. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk and it's also the world's first smoked blue. The wheels are cold-smoked over hazelnut shells, usually for 16 hours. Underneath the natural rind, the texture is firm and dense.
The aromas are smoky, nutty, and milky, while the flavors are earthy, sharp, caramel-like, sweet and savory. It's recommended to pair Smokey Oregon Blue with a glass of ale which will counterbalance the sharpness of the cheese.
Mi-Ewe is an American cheese hailing from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Weirauch Farm and Creamery. The cheese is made from a mix of cow's and sheep's milk. It's left to age for at least 5 months before consumption. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is crumbly and semi-hard.
The aromas are rich and caramel-like, while the flavors are buttery, nutty, sharp, and citrusy. It's recommended to serve Mi-Ewe with honey and crisp apples, and pair it with a glass of fruity Zinfandel. The name of the cheese is French for demi, referring to the fact that the cheese is made with half sheep's and half cow's milk.
Pair with
Big Rock Blue is an American blue cheese hailing from California, where it's produced by Central Coast Creamery. The cheese is made from organic cow's milk and it matures for 3 months. The texture of this rindless cheese is crumbly, fudgy, and buttery, while the aromas are mild and citrusy.
The flavors are mild, salty, and buttery. The ivory-colored paste is laced with teal veining running throughout it. Big Rock Blue is often crumbled over salads for an additional depth of flavor. It's recommended to pair it with a porter.
Pair with
Fat Bottom Girl is an American cheese hailing from Tomales, Claifornia, where it's produced by Bleating Heart Cheese. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk and it's left to age for 3 to 4 months. During the maturation period, Fat Bottom Girl is rubbed with salt water, resulting in an orange-straw colored rind.
This semi-hard cheese has a firm texture and a subtle nutty aroma, while the flavors are salty and buttery. It was named after a song by Queen. Serve it with pepper jams and pair it with a light and fruity California red wines or a glass of lager.
Mezzo Secco is an American cheese from the Monterey Jack family, produced in Sonoma, California. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's aged for at least 6 months. This semi-hard cheese has a natural rind, and underneath it the texture is smooth and creamy.
The flavors are best described as spicy and milky. There's also a version of Mezzo Secco that's matured for 2 to 4 years, and it's called Oro Secco.
Best Western American Semi-hard Cheese Producers
Beehive Cheese Company is a family-owned artisan cheese maker based in Uintah, USA. Since its founding in 2005 by the Ford and Welsh families, Beehive Cheese has been dedicated to crafting high-quality, handcrafted cheeses. The company has quickly established a reputation for innovation, winning over 130 major awards for its cheeses.
Beehive Cheese is renowned for producing unique and flavorful cheeses, including signature rubbed-rind varieties, such as Seahive, a cheese made with local honey and sea salt. The company is committed to sustainability and is certified as a B Corporation, meaning they meet high standards of social and environmental performance.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Beehive Cheese Cheeses
Rumiano Cheese Company is a family-owned cheese producer based in California. They are known for making high-quality cheese, including organic and non-GMO products. Rumiano Cheese specializes in crafting various types of cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, and butter using sustainable practices and high-quality ingredients.
Their headquarters is located in Willows, California, and they source their milk from local, pasture-raised cows. The company has a long history, dating back to 1919, and is known for being one of the oldest family-owned cheese companies in California.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2002
BEST Rumiano Cheese Company Cheeses
Best Western American Semi-hard Cheeses
Seahive cheese, crafted by Beehive Cheese, is a unique product distinguished by its intriguing blend of flavors. This artisan cheese is hand-rubbed with sea salt and local honey, which infuses the cheese with a delightful sweetness balanced by a slight brininess.
The cheese itself is made from the milk of Jersey cows in Utah, known for its rich, creamy texture. The addition of sea salt and honey not only enhances its flavor but also creates a beautifully textured rind. Seahive cheese is celebrated for its smooth, creamy texture that pairs wonderfully with fruits, nuts, and a variety of wines.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
Pour Me s Slice with Bourbon Whiskey by Beehive Cheese, is a gourmet cheese known for its unique flavor profile. This cheese combines the smooth, creamy texture of high-quality cheese with the rich, smoky undertones of bourbon whiskey. The infusion process involves carefully marinating the cheese, allowing the distinct flavors of the bourbon to meld seamlessly with the cheese.
The result is a sophisticated, complex taste experience that pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods and beverages.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Rumiano - Original Peppato Dry Jack is a distinctive cheese produced by the Rumiano Cheese Company, known for its unique flavor and texture. Originating from California, this cheese combines the robust, nutty character of Dry Jack with a peppery kick, resulting from the inclusion of whole black peppercorns.
This semi-hard cheese is aged for a specific period, enhancing its savory profile and giving it a firm yet slightly crumbly texture. Ideal for grating over dishes, slicing for cheese boards, or enjoying on its own, Rumiano - Original Peppato Dry Jack is celebrated for its artisanal quality and flavorful complexity.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2019
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