Best Western American Semi-soft Cheese Types
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.
Pair with
Oregon Blue is an American blue cheese made from raw cow's milk. The cheese ages for a minimum of 90 days in Rogue Creamery's caves. The texture is firm and buttery, and the aromas are earthy and clean. The flavors are mellow, sweet, and buttery, with hints of cream.
On the inside, there are veins of earthy blue molds. Oregon Blue has been produced since 1957 and has won numerous awards. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Riesling or Pinot Noir.
Pair with
Pepper Jack is an American cheese produced in Monterey, California. This popular variety of Monterey Jack cheese is flavored with jalapeño peppers for a spicy kick. It's made from cow's milk and has a natural rind that hides a creamy, smooth, and open texture.
The aromas are herbal, while the flavors are sharp, spicy, and buttery. The cheese has a high moisture content and melts easily. Pepper Jack is often used to add flavor to sandwiches, pizza, omelets, and casseroles. It's also recommended to use it in Mexican-style dishes such as quesadillas, enchiladas, and nachos.
THE BEST Pepper Jack Cheeses
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Tillamook County Creamery
Pepper Jack
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place 2014
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Cabot Creamery
Cabot Pepper Jack Shingled Slices
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class 2024, 2022
Cougar Gold is an American cheese hailing from the Washington State University Creamery in Pullman. Sold exclusively in 30-ounce cans since 1948, this semi-soft cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. When out of the can, visually, it's a white cheddar with rounded edges and without a rind.
The texture is smooth and firm, but it becomes crumbly and crystalline with age. The flavors are creamy, nutty, and sharp, with a milky smooth and mellow finish. The cheese is stored for at least one year before it can be sold. Cougar Gold was originally produced with a bacteria called WSU19, which limits carbon dioxide production so that the cheese can be safely stored into a can.
Point Reyes Original Blue is an American blue cheese produced in California by Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk and has a natural rind. The texture is creamy and buttery and the aromas are milky, fresh, and intense.
The flavors range from milky, sweet, and creamy to strong. It's recommended to serve it with pasta dishes, red meat, grilled vegetables, or fresh salads. Pair the cheese with a glass of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, or sparkling wine.
Breakfast Cheese is an American cheese hailing from California, where it's produced by Marin French Cheese Company. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's usually sold at a very young age of 3 days. The texture is firm and dense, slightly clay-like, and ivory white in color.
The aroma is fresh while the flavors are tangy, salty, buttery, mild, creamy, and citrusy. It's recommended to serve it with bagels and fruit as a tasty snack. This cheese was originally sold in saloons where it was served as an alternative to pickled eggs, hence the name Breakfast Cheese.
Herbes de Provence Chevre is an American semi-soft cheese hailing from Colorado, where it's produced by Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy. The cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and it's shaped into logs that are coated in Herbes de Provence, a traditional French spice blend originating from Provence.
The texture of this rindless cheese is creamy and crumbly. The aromas are fresh and clean, while the flavors are mild and herbaceous. It's recommended to serve the cheese with crusty bread and Kalamata olives. Pair it with a glass of fruity wine such as Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc.
Pair with
Boulder Chevre is an American cheese hailing from Colorado, where it's produced by Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy. The cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk. This fresh chevre is rindless and has a texture that is crumbly, firm, and creamy.
The aromas are fresh and clean, while the flavors are grassy, tangy, and citrusy. Boulder Chevre is often crumbled over salads, pasta, and eggs. It's also often used in sandwiches or cheesecakes. Pair it with a glass of crisp white wine or a rosé and serve it with fruit jams or dried fruit.
Oregonzola is an American Gorgonzola-style cheese hailing from Oregon, hence the name. It was created by Ignazio Vella in the late 1990s. The cheese is made from cow's milk and it's aged in Rogue Creamery caves for at least 6 months. During the maturation period, the cheese develops its smooth, creamy, moist, and buttery texture of the paste, which is laced with distinct blue veins.
The aromas are fruity, while the flavors are tangy, sweet, and savory, with hints of caramel and pepper coming from the blue mold.
Midnight Blue is an American semi-soft blue cheese originating from Colorado. Made from raw milk of Saneen, Alpine, and Nubian goats, the cheese has a dense and slightly dry texture and natural rind. The body is semi-soft and filled with blue veins, the aroma is goaty, while the flavors are spicy, peppery, pungent, and sharp.
This blue cheese is usually aged for 2 to 4 months. During that period, it develops its peppery flavors which get more accentuated as the cheese matures. It is recommended to pair Midnight Blue with wildflower honey and a glass of dry sherry.
Pair with
Best Western American Semi-soft Cheese Producers
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.
AWARDS
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American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2004, 2003
BEST Bellwether Farms Cheeses
Cowgirl Creamery, founded in 1997 by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, is based in Petaluma, California. The company specializes in artisanal cheeses, producing a variety of organic cheese products. Cowgirl Creamery is known for popular cheeses like Mt.
Tam and Red Hawk. This cheese producer sources milk from local dairies in the Point Reyes region, ensuring high-quality ingredients in their products.
AWARDS
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International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
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World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024
BEST Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
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International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Rogue Creamery Cheeses
Best Western American Semi-soft Cheeses
Smokey Blue is a unique artisan blue cheese produced by Rogue Creamery, an award-winning cheese producer based in Oregon, USA. This cheese is distinguished by its process of cold-smoking over Oregon hazelnut shells, which imparts a distinctive smoky flavor that complements the rich, creamy profile of the blue cheese.
Smokey Blue showcases a smooth yet crumbly texture, with flavors of hazelnuts, caramel, and a hint of sweetness that balances the sharpness of the blue mold. It is often celebrated for its versatility and can enhance the flavor profile of both savory and sweet dishes.
AWARDS
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International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
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American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2015, 2009
Blackstone cheese is a semi-soft cheese characterized by its unique appearance and flavor profile. It has a smooth, creamy texture with a rich taste, combining the earthy notes of cow’s milk with hints of herbs and spices. What sets Blackstone cheese apart visually is its striking black rind, created from a blend of edible vegetable ash and spices, which gives it a bold, artisanal look.
This cheese often has a slightly tangy undertone and pairs well with crackers, fresh fruits, or can be melted over dishes. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on a cheese board or used in culinary recipes.
AWARDS
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American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2016
Pierce Point is a seasonal cheese produced by Cowgirl Creamery, typically available from late summer to early fall. It is a semi-soft, cow's milk cheese that is hand-picked at the creamery's Point Reyes location. The cheese is washed with a mixture of muscato wine and herbs, which imparts a distinct floral and herbal aroma.
The rind is typically coated with organic herbs and flowers, which not only adds to its aesthetics but also enhances the overall flavor profile. The cheese has a buttery and creamy texture with a delicate, savory tang.
AWARDS
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American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2006
Wagon Wheel is a semi-soft, cow's milk cheese produced by Cowgirl Creamery. It has a mild and approachable flavor profile, making it suitable for a variety of culinary uses, from melting in sandwiches to serving on a cheese platter. The cheese has a wash-rind and typically exhibits a golden hue with a smooth, flexible texture.
Aging usually lasts around 3 to 6 months, during which the flavors develop a subtle complexity with hints of butter and grass. This cheese exemplifies Cowgirl Creamery’s commitment to artisanal and sustainable cheese-making practices.
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
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