Top 100 North American Cheeses

Oaxacan cheese is a semi-soft white cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese is characterized by its stringy texture. It has a savory, creamy, mild and buttery flavor, making it ideal for quesadillas, empanadas, and tlayudas. The cheese has great melting properties, which is the reason why it is often used in numerous baked dishes. It is named after the Oaxaca state in southern Mexico, where it was first produced. The pasta filata cheesemaking process, originally from Italy, was brought to Mexico by Dominican friars that settled in the state of Oaxaca.Expand

Queso Chihuahua is a traditional cheese made from cow's milk. The texture of this cheese is supple and firm. It has a natural rind and a pale yellow color. In flavor, it is mild and buttery, with a slight sharpness. The cheese is also called Menonita, referring to the Mennonite communities in Chihuahua that first produced it. Queso Chihuahua melts exceptionally well, so it's often used in baked dishes such as casseroles, but it's also used for cheese sauces, as a table cheese for snacking, or it can be added to quesadillas, queso fundido, or chilaquiles.Expand

Humboldt Fog is an American cheese produced in Arcata, California. The cheese is made with goat's milk and has a paper-thin bloomy rind. Inside, there is a semi-soft body with a creamy, smooth, and slightly runny texture, due to the fact that Humboldt Fog ripens from the outside to the centre. The cheese is distinguished by a layer of edible ash on the interior, which is actually a nod to the French Morbier cheese. The aromas of this cheese are pungent and floral, while the flavors are citrusy, tangy, and slightly lemony. It is recommended to drizzle it with honey and serve it with almonds, tart apples, or prosciutto. For the best experience, pour a glass of beer or Sauvignon Blanc on the side. And if you're eating Humboldt Fog and think that the flavors are ''dreamy'', you might not be far from the truth - its inventor, Cypress Grove Chevre founder Mary Keehn says she fell asleep on a plane and dreamed about a new type of cheese with a line running through it, and the Humboldt Fog was born.Expand

Cotija is a Mexican cheese that is traditionally made with raw cow's milk. When prepared, the cheese is fresh, white, and salty, bearing resemblance to feta cheese. With aging, its texture becomes crumbly, dense, and hard, similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano. The aged version of Cotija is called anejo. The cheese does not melt easily, and it is typically grated over elotes (grilled corn), salads, enchiladas, tostadas, and casseroles. Cotija is available in small wheels or large blocks, and it is named after the city of Cotija in the state of Michoacán.Expand

Oka is a pale yellow Canadian cheese made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It has an intense aroma and a semi-firm consistency, while the flavors are creamy, fruity, and nutty. The cheese melts exceptionally well and comes in two main versions: regular, which is aged for 30 days, and classic, aged for 60 days. It is believed that Oka cheese was first produced by Trappist monks from the eponymous city near Montreal. Serve this Canadian classic with cashews, walnuts, pecans, apples, figs, or grapes.Expand

Maytag Blue is an American blue cheese originating from just outside Newton, Iowa, on Maytag Dairy Farms. The cheese is made with Holstein cow's milk since 1941. It ripens for 6 months, and during the time it develops a texture that is dense and crumbly. The aromas are strong and pungent, while the flavors are tangy and lemony. It is recommended to crumble Maytag Blue in salads, melt it on burgers, and pair it with a glass of lager or ale.Expand

Muenster is an American imitation of the famous Munster cheese that's traditionally produced in France. This one is made from pasteurized cow's milk. Underneath its orange rind, the texture is smooth, supple, and elastic. This soft cheese has pungent aromas and savory flavors that range from mild to sharp. Compared to the French Munster, Muenster is much milder and it's also sold younger than the French one. Muenster has great melting properties so it's often used in sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, burgers, and pizza. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of beer.Expand

American Provolone is an American type of Provolone cheese. The most famous Provolone cheeses are protected and come from Italy in two versions – dolce and piccante. The American version of provolone is unlike its Italian cousins – it’s usually aged for just two months, while the Italian piccante is usually aged for more than a year, and the dolce version is aged for at least 4 months before consumption. American producers of provolone use non-animal enzymes, which can vary in flavor. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk, and its texture is semi-soft and light. The flavor is very mellow, milky, and mild, and it’s typically recommended to use it in sandwiches and for cooking. American Provolone is also an important part of famous American dishes such as Muffuletta and Philly cheesesteak.Expand

Queso añejo is a traditional semi-hard cheese originating from Mexico. The cheese is traditionally made from pasteurized goat's milk, but nowadays it's mostly made from pasteurized cow's milk. When fresh, the texture is crumbly, and when dried, the texture becomes firm, making it suitable for grating and shredding over various Mexican dishes. The cheese wheels are sometimes rolled in paprika, which adds spicy notes to the already salty and sharp cheese. Añejo can also be baked and grilled, then added to tacos, enchiladas, or burritos. It's also traditionally used in a dish called chiles de la Sierra, originating from the mountainous area of Sierra de Puebla.Expand

Rogue Creamery was founded in 1933 in Oregon, and has since become a recognized name in the cheese industry, specializing in organic, hand-crafted cheeses with a particular focus on blue cheeses. The creamery has maintained high standards of quality over the years and has built an outstanding reputation in the United States and worldwide. Rogue Creamery is committed to sustainability, with its business model based on environmentally responsible practices.

The creamery uses only milk from local farms that meet strict organic production standards. The milk used for their cheeses comes from farms that practice sustainable agricultural methods. Rogue Creamery produces its cheeses in small batches, using traditional methods and handcrafting techniques.

Their cheeses are known for their high quality, which has earned them numerous prestigious awards.Expand

Uplands Cheese located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is renowned for its artisanal cheese production, particularly the Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Rush Creek Reserve. The company operates on a dairy farm that has been milking cows for over a century.

The farm is uniquely situated on Pleasant Ridge in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, which is ideal for the diverse range of grasses that contribute to the high-quality milk produced by their cows. The farm is managed with a focus on sustainable, seasonal, and pasture-based systems.

This approach includes rotational grazing, which ensures fresh pasture for the cows daily, contributing to the exceptional flavors of their milk. The company's commitment to traditional cheesemaking methods, combined with innovative approaches to enhance the unique flavors of their farm, has established Uplands Cheese as a leading example of artisanal cheesemaking in the U.S..Expand

Springside Cheese Corp, based in Wisconsin, is a family-owned business that specializes in crafting artisanal cheeses. They offer a variety of cheese products including traditional cheddar, specialty aged cheeses, and flavored cheeses.

Springside Cheese Corp operates both a production facility and a retail store in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin.Expand

Jasper Hill Farm is a farmstead cheese producer based in Greensboro, founded in 2003 with a clear mission to strengthen the rural economy of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom through high-quality cheesemaking. The operation is built around milk from its own farm, with a strong emphasis on consistency, milk quality and expressing a sense of place through different cheese styles.

A central pillar of the business is The Cellars at Jasper Hill, a purpose-built underground aging facility designed to provide precise control over humidity, temperature and microbial development during affinage. These cellars are used not only for Jasper Hill’s own cheeses but also to support other small regional producers by offering professional aging, storage and distribution services.

This collaborative model has positioned Jasper Hill as both a producer and an infrastructure backbone for the local artisan cheese community. Their portfolio spans multiple styles, from blue and soft-ripened cheeses to alpine-inspired varieties, many of which have received international recognition.

Jasper Hill Farm is widely regarded as one of the most influential producers in American artisanal cheesemaking, known for combining technical rigor with a strong commitment to regional sustainability.Expand

Murray's Cheese, based in New York City, is a prominent gourmet cheese and specialty foods retailer and wholesaler, with a rich history dating back to its founding in Greenwich Village in 1962. Known for its wide selection of cheeses from around the globe, Murray's operates not only a flagship store but also a restaurant and cheese bar in New York. They are notable for their state-of-the-art cheese caves in Long Island City where they age their own cheese. In 2017, Murray's became part of the Kroger Company, expanding its reach nationwide through over a thousand Kroger stores.

Murray's is also committed to community involvement, supporting local charities and educational initiatives related to food and wellness.Expand

Spring Brook Farm Cheese is located in Reading, Vermont, where they produce artisanal cheeses. The cheeses produced by Spring Brook Farm are made using traditional techniques and include varieties such as Tarentaise, an alpine-style cheese.

The farm also operates as an educational facility, teaching students about sustainable agriculture through its partnership with the Farms for City Kids Foundation.Expand

Fromagerie de l’Île-aux-Grues is an artisanal cheese producer located on Île-aux-Grues, an island in the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Québec, Canada, known for its strong connection between local landscape, milk, and cheesemaking. It was established in the late 1970s as an initiative by island farmers to collectively process milk from their own farms, while the production of refined, aged cheeses developed from the early 2000s onward.

All milk used comes exclusively from the island, allowing full control over origin and expressing a distinct terroir shaped by the winds and vegetation of the St. Lawrence River. The dairy produces a diverse range of cheeses, from semi-hard to fully aged and aromatic styles, including Riopelle de l’Isle, Tomme de Grosse-Île, Canotier de l’Isle, and other well-known Canadian specialties.

Today, Fromagerie de l’Île-aux-Grues stands as a strong example of successful local cooperation, where tradition, terroir, and modern expertise come together to create cheeses with a clear identity and sense of place.Expand

Roelli Cheese Company is located in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, and specializes in crafting artisanal cheeses. The company has a history spanning four generations of cheesemakers, dating back to the early 20th century.

Roelli is known for its small-batch production methods and focus on high-quality, unique cheeses such as their flagship product, Dunbarton Blue.Expand

Fromagerie du Presbytère is an artisanal cheese producer located in Sainte-Élizabeth-de-Warwick, in the province of Québec, Canada, founded in 2005 in a restored former presbytery. It was established as a family project by the Morin family, who also operate their own dairy farm, ensuring full control over the quality and origin of the milk used in production.

The creamery is known for its wide range of cheeses, spanning soft, blue, semi-hard, and long-aged styles, including well-known creations such as Louis d’Or, Bleu d’Élizabeth, Le Religieuse, Le Champayeur, and Treizième Apôtre. Production combines traditional cheesemaking techniques with modern expertise, with a strong focus on expressing local terroir and the character of the farm’s milk.

Many of their cheeses have received national and international awards, contributing to the reputation of Fromagerie du Presbytère as one of Canada’s most respected artisanal cheesemakers. Today, the dairy stands as a model of how family heritage, innovation, and regional identity can come together to create cheeses with strong personality and consistent quality.Expand

The Farm at Doe Run is an award-winning creamery located in Coatesville, Chester County, in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. It was founded in 2008 by Richard Hayne, the founder of Urban Outfitters, with the goal of creating a local farm that produces high-quality cheeses and provides jobs for the community.

Today, the farm is run by a team of experienced cheesemakers, including Olivia Haver, a former member of the Jasper Hill team, who, together with colleagues from Vermont, has taken the lead in cheese production and affinage. The farm exclusively raises grass-fed Jersey and Normande cows, East Friesian sheep, and Saanen and Nubian goats. This biodiversity allows for the production of a wide range of cheeses, from soft and creamy to aged and textured.

All cheeses are handcrafted using the farmstead method, meaning that only milk from the farm is used, without any ingredients sourced externally.Expand