US Cheeses Are America’s Innovation That’s Unbound by Traditions

​The United States is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. Immigrants from all over the world brought their recipes from home and, together, in this culinary melting pot, created some of the tastiest cheeses in the world, taking home countless awards at global competitions for many years and in 2019, the World’s Best Cheese honor was awarded to — you guessed it — the USA.

The history of cheese making in the United States began with the very first European settlers who came to America in the 1600s. Some brought cheese with them while others brought dairy cows in hopes of continuing their dairy farming traditions. Once settled in their new environment, a small cheesemaking community soon emerged.

For decades, the US cheese industry has worked diligently to meet the needs of customers around the world. Today, the US is the world’s single largest producer and exporter of cheese, with over 1,000 cheese varieties produced throughout all 50 states.

The US alone produces a quarter of the world’s cheese output in mostly large, state-of-the-art facilities. It is home to some of the world’s largest cheese manufacturers, producing in one single facility more cheese than the whole country of New Zealand produces in one year. But it’s not just about quantity.

America is also the land of specialty cheesemaking where hundreds of artisans across the country craft some of the world’s best artisanal cheeses.

From American originals like cream cheese, invented in 1872 in New York or US Pepper Jack, that blends the soft richness of US Monterey Jack with flecks of spicy peppers, to sought-after varieties that combine old and new techniques like US cheddar and parmesan, the unparalleled variety of Cheeses from the US means that there’s a cheese to suit every chef’s or every home cook’s needs.

Inspired by ancient recipes yet unbound by tradition, these cheeses are made possible by the high-quality milk produced in the US.

US cheeses have impressed judges on the world stage for years, taking home top prizes in competitions like the like the World Cheese Awards and the World Championship Cheese Contest. These accolades from cheese experts are a clear testament to the fantastic quality and craftsmanship of US cheeses.

While cheeses from the US may not be as famous as those from Italy, France, or Switzerland, the countless awards from international judges prove that US cheese can compete on a global stage. In fact, a US blue cheese from Oregon’s Rogue Creamery was crowned the World Champion Cheese out of over 3,000 entries at the 2019-2020 World Cheese Awards, the first American recipient of this honor.

Rogue River Blue is a soft aged blue cheese that’s cave-aged for 9 to 11 months then hand-wrapped in organic Syrah leaves that have been soaked in pear spirits. The award-winning cheese is a perfect example of American cheese craftsmanship at its best, putting a modern spin on ancient techniques.

The excellence of USA cheeses was further reaffirmed at the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest, a biannual competition that brings together cheeses from all over the world, going up against many well-reputed cheesemaking countries like France, Germany, Greece, and more. Of the 393 awards distributed during the competition, US cheese earned 265 of them, 89 of which were “Best of Class” prizes.

Like fine wine, cheese can tantalize every aspect of the palate.

Today’s diners can find cheese served alone as an individual course or incorporated into a wide variety of dishes from appetizers to desserts.

Whether offered as an opening to a five-course meal, sprinkled as a topping on pasta or pizza, or used as the foundation for a rich and creamy sauce, cheese can make any dish extraordinary. The US cheese industry is ever-growing and is creating some of the world’s most delicious and nutritious cheeses, from classic favorites to original creations.

From America to your plate – come discover more on the heritage and diversity of Cheeses from the USA, and follow us on social media.

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Images: Fidel Fernando, The Beijingers