World Cheese Awards single out two US states as world beaters

The World Cheese Awards announced this year’s winners earlier this month, highlighting two American-made products among the list of honorees.

Some 4,800 cheeses from around the world were assessed by a panel of 240 judges at this year’s awards, held in Viseu, Portugal. While top spots primarily went to those produced in Europe, two American makers beat out thousands of others to land gold medals at the annual competition.

Tillamook County Creamery Association was handed the title of best cheddar cheese, its 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar storming home with the lion’s share of the vote, according to Food & Wine. The 10-year-aged cheese is part of Oregon-based Tillamook’s Maker’s Reserve program, which specializes in 10-year vintages, released annually, alongside a range of cheddars aged for a minimum of three years.

“Just as we heat the milk to the perfect temperature for the perfect length of time, we cool our cheddar blocks to the optimal temperature for slow fermentation and aging,” Tillamook says on its website. “Then we wait. Because the only way to get to 10 years is 10 years.”

“We are so proud of our Tillamook Maker’s Reserve program and are honored that our 2014 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar took home the award for best cheddar in the world,” Jill Allen, Tillamook’s director of product excellence, told Food & Wine. The world-beating cheddar can be purchased on the website for $26 per 8 ounces.

Tillamook also came home with bronze medals for its Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar and its English-Style Sweet Cheddar.

Another American company, Vermont-based Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm, landed a top spot in the open category, placing fifth in the world for its Bayley Hazen Blue raw milk blue cheese, and securing a Super Gold medal and the title of Best American Cheese in the process.

“Bayley has developed a loyal following because of its fudge-like texture, toasted-nut sweetness, and anise spice character,” the company says.

“The paste is dense and creamy, with well-distributed blue veins. The usual peppery character of blue cheese is subdued, giving way to the grassy, nutty flavors in the milk.” The Bayley Hazen blue, a wheel of which can be purchased for $240 dollars on the farm’s website, comes from Jasper Hill’s own herd at the Andersonville Farm in Glover, Vermont.

Cellars at Jasper Hill also nabbed gold awards for its Vault 5 Cave Aged cheddar and its Harbison soft-ripened cheese, as well as four silvers and one bronze medal at the awards ceremony.

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