1. Those Plastic-wrapped Single Serving Slices
American cheese is a bland cheese known more for its melting qualities than its flavor. Originally created as a simple blend of cheeses, notably cheddar and Colby, most American cheese is an amalgamation of cheeses, salt, preservatives and emulsifiers. It is so highly processed and pasteurized that many cheese enthusiasts do not consider it a "true" cheese. In fact, many American cheeses are now labeled as "cheese food" or "processed cheese product." Still, American cheese is popular and often seen on burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.
2. Colby Cheese
Colby is a true American cheese. Created in Colby, Wisconsin, in 1874, it was the first new cheese to be invented in America, and it helped to launch Wisconsin's reputation as the dairy state. Colby cheese is an agreeable, moist, semi-hard cheese, with a flavor reminiscent of mild cheddar, although Colby cheese does not go through the same aging process. Colby is often dyed orange and it pairs well with apples, pears and dark brown breads, such as pumpernickel.
3. Monterey Jack and Colby-Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack cheese has a buttery smooth flavor, and was originally produced in Monterey, California in the late 1800s. The mild flavor of Monterey Jack cheese lends itself to additions, and Pepper Jack (also known as Jalapeno Jack) is an exciting variation. Sometimes the curds of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses are mixed to create Colby-Jack, a dappled orange and white that is a popular on cheese trays. Monterey Jack or Colby-Jack cheese also serves as a good all-purpose cheese for topping tacos, nachos and salads.
4. Brick Cheese
Another Wisconsin cheese, Brick cheese gets it name from the fact that the curds were originally pressed with bricks, producing a blocky, rectangular cheese. When fresh, brick cheese has sweet, nutty, earthy tones, but as it ages and ripens the flavor grows stronger, sharper and more pungent, a taste similar to Limburger. Brick cheese has small, irregular holes, is crumbly and slightly sticky, and makes a fine addition to sandwiches or macaroni and cheese. Brick cheese pairs well with hearty breads, beer and apples.
5. American Artisan Cheese
Across the country, there are hundreds of small farms and individual cheesemakers producing delicious, high-quality cheese in small batches, often completely by hand. These cheeses might be locally produced versions of old favorites, like cheddar or mozzarella, or they could be exotic cheeses, like Maytag Blue, Gouda or Havarti. Many artisan cheeses are made with cow's milk, but others use goat's milk or sheep's milk. Artisan cheeses receive lavish attention that factory-made cheese often doesn't, such as being aged in caves where the moisture and mineral content imparts a distinctive, flavor to the cheese, or being rinsed with beer. By purchasing artisan cheeses, you support local farmers and cheesemakers while enjoying some of the finest cheese you've ever tasted.
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