Top 24 North American Fresh Cheeses

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

Adobera is a traditional cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese is shaped like an adobe brick, hence the name. It has a fresh aroma, and the texture is firm, crumbly, and grainy, while the flavors are mild and salty. Due to its texture, Adobera can be crumbled, grated, shredded, and melted easily, making it versatile and very popular in Mexican cuisine. It is believed that the cheese originated in the Jalisco area. Use it in ecnhiladas, burritos, tacos, soups, and salads.Expand

Purple Haze is an American cheese produced in California by Cypress Grove. It dates back to the 1970s, when Mary Keehn found herself with excess goat milk and invented the cheese in the process. Nowadays, the milk is pasteurized in vats with coagulants and cultures, and the mix is then placed into a curd press to drain. The curd is combined with salt and shaped into disks which are dusted with wild fennel pollen and lavender. Without aging, the cheeses are sent to markets where they can be sold and consumed. This aromatic, fresh, soft cheese has no rind, and its texture is crumbly, smooth, creamy, and spreadable. The flavors are earthy and herbaceous. It's recommended to pair Purple Haze with Riseling or Sauvignon Blanc. Try it with bacon-wrapped dates or finocchiona salami.Expand

Shepherd's Hope is an American cheese hailing from Nerstrand, Minnesota, where it's produced by Shepherd's Way Farms. The cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk (plain version) and it's based on queso fresco. There's also a version with garlic and herbs. The texture of this fresh, rindless cheese is semi-soft, creamy, and firm. The aromas are fresh, herbaceous, and intense, while the flavors are milky, mild, and garlicky, with citrusy notes at the finish. It's recommended to serve Shepherd's Hope with a baguette or use it on pizza and in sandwiches. Pair it with a glass of crisp Chardonnay.Expand

Herbs de Humboldt is an American cheese hailing from Arcata, California, where it's produced by Cypress Grove Chevre. The cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and herbes de Provence spice blend. The texture of this rindless cheese is smooth, creamy, crumbly, and spreadable. The aromas are fresh and herbal, while the flavors are earthy, floral, and herbaceous. It's recommended to use Herbs de Humboldt on pizzas. Pair it with a glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.Expand

Foggy Morning is an American cheese produced in California by Nicasio Valley Cheese Company. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. The texture is soft and creamy, while the flavors are fresh and delicate. The flavors are tangy, savory, subtle, and reminiscent of sour cream. It's recommended to serve it with bagels or spread it on pizza. Foggy Morning can be paired with both savory and sweet accompaniments.Expand

Valentine is an American artisan cheese hailing from Oregon's Ancient Heritage Dairy. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and has a bloomy rind. Underneath it, the body is buttery and herbaceous with a rich finish. When perfectly aged, Valentine's paste oozes from the rind. The cheese was named after one of the producers' beloved ewes which was born on Valentine's day. It is recommended to pair the cheese with light reds, fruity and dry whites, or a rosé.Expand

Sgt. Pepper is a fresh American cheese produced in California by Cypress Grove Chevre. The cheese is made from goat's milk and a secret combination of pepper threads, exotic spices, and four peppers. The texture is smooth, creamy, and spreadable. The aromas are fresh, while the flavors are complex and pleasantly spicy. It's recommended to use the cheese in burgers and pair it with a glass of Porter or Stout. Regarding wines, go with Pinot Noir. Interestingly, this fresh cheese won first place at the American Cheese Society in 2012.Expand

Primo Fresco is an American cheese hailing from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Weirauch Farm and Creamery. This fresh cheese is made from sheep's milk and it's usually left to age for less than a week. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is creamy, fluffy, and spreadable. The aromas are mild and fresh, while the flavors are delicate, tangy, savory, slightly sweet, and salty. This seasonal cheese is available from March through August and it's recommended to pair it with desserts or savory dishes.Expand

Caputo Cheese is a family-owned company with deep roots in tradition and a strong commitment to quality. It all began in 1978 as a small cheese shop, when founders René and Pasquale Caputo offered a variety of domestic and imported cheeses by the piece. They soon expanded into processing and blending cheeses for distributors and food producers — starting with Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella, and later adding other Italian specialties such as olive oils, vinegars, pasta, and seasonings. The key principles are preserving the flavor of the “old world” while providing tailored “new world” services. Caputo Cheese builds direct relationships with its raw material suppliers, and is dedicated to excellence, consistency, and customer satisfaction — a commitment reflected in the large number of loyal business partners. Caputo Cheese continues to grow and innovate its offerings, relying on family values, passion for cheese, and service that goes beyond the traditional standards of the industry.Expand

Laura Chenel's Chevre, based in Sonoma County, California, is known for pioneering artisan goat cheese in America since the late 1970s. The company emphasizes sustainable farming and local sourcing, utilizing milk from goats raised in the region to produce a variety of fresh and aged goat cheeses. Their products reflect a commitment to natural methods and the rich terroir of the Sonoma Valley.Expand

Vermont Creamery is a renowned creamery from the U.S. state of Vermont, known for producing high-quality artisanal dairy products. It was founded in 1984 with the goal of combining the traditions of French and American dairy production, initially focusing on handcrafted cheeses and butter. Over time, its portfolio expanded to include goat cheeses, cultured butter, and crème fraîche, making it recognized for its rich flavor and exceptional quality. The creamery sources its milk from local family farms, ensuring sustainable and ethical production. This close collaboration with farmers allows each product to reflect the character of the region, while Vermont Creamery simultaneously supports the local community and promotes responsible resource management.Expand

Carr Valley Cheese is a family-owned cheese company located in Wisconsin, known for its traditional cheesemaking techniques passed down through generations. It produces a wide variety of cheeses, including artisanal and specialty cheeses, that have won numerous national and international awards. The company operates multiple retail stores across Wisconsin.Expand

Prairie Farms Dairy is one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States. Founded in 1938, it operates as a cooperative, meaning it is owned by dairy farmers who supply the milk and other dairy products. Prairie Farms Dairy produces a wide range of dairy products, including milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt, and distributes them across a large portion of the United States. The cooperative's business model is centered around supporting local dairy farmers while offering high-quality, fresh dairy products to consumers. Prairie Farms Dairy is known for its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare, as well as for using advanced technologies in dairy farming to ensure the quality of their products.Expand

Bellwether Farms, located in Petaluma, California, is a family-owned creamery that produces a variety of artisan cheeses and dairy products. They are known for using traditional methods and primarily sheep's milk, along with cow's milk, to create their products. Bellwether Farms also offers a line of yogurts alongside their cheeses.Expand

Brush Creek Creamery is located in Deary, Idaho. This creamery produces a variety of organic cheeses, including cheddar, gouda, and fresh cheeses. Brush Creek Creamery is part of a larger entity known as the Brush Creek Ranch, which focuses on sustainable farming practices.Expand

Cabot Creamery is a well-known dairy cooperative based in Cabot, Vermont. Established in 1919, it comprises over 1,000 dairy farm families from Vermont and neighboring states. The cooperative specializes in producing a variety of dairy products, including award-winning cheeses, butters, and yogurts. Cabot is particularly famous for its cheddar cheese, which comes in various flavors and aging profiles, from mild to extra sharp. The cooperative emphasizes high-quality, sustainable practices, ensuring that their products are made from the milk of cows that are humanely treated and raised on family farms.Expand

Pleasant Lane Farms Creamery, located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, focuses on producing a variety of cheeses. They operate primarily as a family-run business. Their product line includes cheese crafted from the milk of their own herd of dairy cows.Expand

Crave Brothers is a family-owned dairy company located in Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA. It was founded by brothers Charles, George, Tom, and Mark Crave, who grew up on a farm with 40 cows in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1980, they purchased a farm in Waterloo where they began producing milk, and in 2001 they opened a cheese-making facility. Today, the company is owned by the fourth generation of the family, including Andy and Patrick Crave. Crave Brothers produces high-quality cheeses using exclusively milk from their own farm. Their production is based on sustainability principles: they use 100% green energy generated on the farm and apply biodigesters to process manure and wastewater, producing more energy than needed for the dairy and farm operations. This approach makes them a company with a negative carbon footprint. Their milk comes from Holstein cows fed with locally grown corn, alfalfa, and soy, cared for individually and raised in fresh air.Expand