These are the Best Cheeses from the Midwest: Discover the Cream of the Crop!
Get ready to savor the cheesiest delights of the year as we unveil the Best Cheese from the Midwest – it’s a cheese lover’s dream come true! 🧀 #BestCheeses #Cheese
The Best Cheeses from the Midwest
Winona, Minnesota – Get ready to indulge your taste buds because we’ve got the scoop on the best cheeses of the year! We’re celebrating the creamiest and most delicious cheeses from right in your own backyard.
These cheeses have won accolades from prestigious competitions, like the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition (ACS), the US Championship Cheese, the World Championship Cheese Contest (WCCC), the Good Food Awards (GFA), the World Cheese Awards (WCA) and Culture Cheese Magazine. Now…here’s a taste of the winners from the Midwest!
Congrats to these cheese producers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Missouri! You’re making us all proud!
Best Soft Cheeses
Cheese that’s soft, creamy, and oh-so-delicious!
Crescenza-Stracchino
BelGioioso Cheese, Green Bay, Wisconsin
This Italian-style cheese, which won First Place at the 2023 ACS awards, is perfect for savoring when it’s young with its bright and milky flavors. Or, let it age gracefully for up to two weeks, and you’ll be treated to a delightful tang and a softer texture. You can use it to make cheesecake, pair it with fresh raspberries and wildflower honey, or melt it over a pizza or burger for a mouthwatering experience.
Shabby Shoe
Blakesville Creamery, Port Washington, Wisconsin
Don’t let the quirky name fool you; there’s nothing shabby about this delicate bloomy goat’s milk cheese. It’s a playful nod to the French classic Chabichou du Poitou and mirrors its oozy creaminess perfectly. In its debut year on the market, Shabby Shoe took First Place at the 2023 ACS, earning its spot as an American classic.
Fig & Honey Goat Cheese
LaClare Creamery, Malone, Wisconsin
This sweet and tangy goat cheese is dotted with figs and drizzled with golden honey. No wonder it grabbed First Place at the 2023 ACS. LaClare Creamery, a 100% domestically produced goat cheese brand, sources its milk from farms within 15 miles of its facility, staying true to Wisconsin’s cheesemaking traditions.
Apricity
Alemar Cheese Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Apricity, a cheese named after the warmth of winter sun, looks like a snowball with its wrinkly Geotrichum rind. But its flavor is rich and bright, evolving with age to become tangy, fruity, and yeasty, with an oozy cream line. This winner at the 2023 ACS is a delightful addition to any cheese board, especially when paired with juicy fruits or crisp beverages.
Best Semi-Hard Cheeses
Cheese that’s firm but slightly soft with that perfect moisture balance.
Pleasant Ridge Reserve
Uplands Cheese Company, Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Uplands Cheese’s Pleasant Ridge Reserve earned Third Best of Show at the 2023 ACS. This Alpine-style, washed-rind cheese is a summer delight, with notes of sweet grass and hazelnuts and a slightly smoky finish. It’s a firm cheese that’s sure to please.
The Stag
Deer Creek Cheese, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
The Stag is a five-time winner of Best of Class at the 2023 USCCC, and for good reason. It’s an ultra-nutty, toffee-like cheddar with a creamy texture and delightful crystals. This cheese is perfect for snacking or pairing with your favorite accompaniments.
Ziller
Guggisberg Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio
Ziller keeps racking up the awards, including First Place at the 2023 ACS. Its flavor profile falls between a bold Emmentaler and a sweet Baby Swiss, offering a delightful taste experience.
Prairie Tomme
Green Dirt Farm, Weston, Missouri
Prairie Tomme earned Third Best of Show at the 2023 ACS and Best of Class at the 2023 USCCC. With its smooth, compact paste, earthy aromas, and nutty notes, this cheese is a crowd-pleaser.
Traditional Aged Brick
Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Teresa, Wisconsin
Traditional Aged Brick, shaped like an actual brick, harkens back to 1877. Aged three to five months, it offers nutty, tangy, savory, and pungent flavors—a true American original.
Chipotle Cheddar
Henning’s Cheese, Kiel, Wisconsin
Master Cheesemaker Kerry Henning’s Chipotle Cheddar won First Place at the 2023 ACS. This cheese combines rich and smoky chipotle peppers with creamy white cheddar for a zingy kick. It’s perfect for snacking or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
Wischago
Hidden Springs Creamery, Westby, Wisconsin
Wischago, inspired by Manchego, took First Place at the 2023 ACS. Aged for six to seven months, it boasts a dense texture and bold character with fruity and honey notes. It’s a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Anabasque
Landmark Creamery, Paoli, Wisconsin
Anabasque is a winner in multiple competitions, including First Place at the 2023 ACS. This cheese is inspired by Basque-style sheep’s milk cheeses and offers warm, milky sweetness with hints of fresh dough and stone fruit. It’s a bright and well-balanced cheese that’s sure to please your palate.
Best Hard Cheeses
Firm and intense, these cheeses are aged to perfection.
Marieke Gouda Aged
Marieke Gouda, Thorpe, Wisconsin
This award-winning aged gouda brings a taste of the Netherlands to the US. With nutty, caramel notes and a slightly crystallized texture, it’s a cheese lover’s dream. Aged between nine and 12 months, it earned First Place at the 2023 ACS.
Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan
Cello / Lake Country Dairy, Turtle Lake, Wisconsin
The magic of this parmesan lies in the copper vats it’s cooked in and its cool 16 months of aging. It’s a flavor powerhouse with robust, caramel-forward notes, perfect for pairing with dark chocolate or saucy pasta. It earned Best of Class at the 2023 USCCC and Second in its class at the 2022 WCCC.
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Conclusion: Best Cheeses from the Midwest
There you have it, folks! The cream of the crop in the cheese world for 2023. Whether you’re a fan of soft, semi-hard, or hard cheeses, there’s something here to tickle your taste buds and satisfy your cheesy cravings. Grab a slice, a cracker, or your favorite pairing, and let the cheese adventure begin!
