Randy Chandler
Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese with a creamy, buttery, and mild flavour. It is said to have originated in the Mexican Franciscan friars of Monterey, California, in the 19th century. The cheese is commonly used in Mexican and Spanish cuisine because it melts well and has a mild flavour. It is similar in taste and texture to Colby and Cheddar. So, does it taste good? Well, that's subjective, but it is a popular cheese that is widely available across grocery stores and supermarkets in the United States. It is often used in grilled cheese, charcuterie, and snacking, and is considered a good melting cheese for dishes like nachos and quesadillas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-hard/semi-firm cow's milk cheese |
| Texture | Creamy, soft, velvety, immaculate, luxurious, slight firmness |
| Flavor | Mild, creamy, buttery, fresh |
| Melting | Melts very well |
| Use cases | Grilled cheese, nachos, Mexican and Spanish cuisine, sandwiches, soups, baking |
| Variants | Dry Jack, Pepper Jack |
| Pairing | Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, light white wine |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Monterey Jack's mild flavour
Monterey Jack cheese is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese with a creamy, buttery flavour. It is mild in taste, resembling a milkier mozzarella string cheese. It is also described as having a slight firmness akin to cheddar.
The cheese was first made by Mexican Franciscan friars in Monterey, California, in the 19th century. It is now commonly used in Mexican and Spanish cuisine because of its mild flavour and excellent melting properties. It is often shredded on Mexican-American food, melted on grilled cheese, or used in nachos. It can also be grated over roasted chicken, burgers, steaks, soups, and sandwiches.
Monterey Jack is also a great cheese for a platter, pairing well with melons, grapes, pickled vegetables, and olives. It is also a good choice for baking bread, including cornbread, flatbreads, and garlic bread. When it comes to wine, it goes well with a light white wine such as Pinot Grigio, Riesling, or Chardonnay.
Some popular brands of Monterey Jack cheese include Costco, Boar's Head, Tillamook, Great Value, Joseph Farms, and Trader Joe's.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese: Healthy Weight Loss Breakfast?
You may want to see also
How it melts
Monterey Jack cheese is a semi-firm, creamy, mild-flavoured cheese made from cow's milk. It is known for its good melting quality and is commonly used shredded on Mexican-American food. It is also used in pasta dishes and sandwiches.
When melting cheese, the protein structure breaks apart, and the emulsion breaks, causing the fat globules to come together into a greasy pool and the proteins to congeal, forming a stringy mess. However, Monterey Jack cheese is known for its good melting quality. This is because it is a stable emulsion of dairy fat and water, held together by a protein network at room temperature.
To improve the meltability of Monterey Jack cheese, it can be combined with American cheese, which is specifically designed to be highly meltable and nearly impossible to break. The American cheese provides texture and colour, while the Monterey Jack cheese brings flavour and stretchiness. Cornstarch can also be added to absorb water, thicken the cheese mixture, and provide body.
When melting Monterey Jack cheese, it is important to avoid overheating, which can cause the cheese to become greasy, clumpy, and unappetizing. Instead, gentle heat should be applied to achieve a smooth, creamy, and saucy consistency.
Cheese and Gut Health: A Balanced Diet's Best Friend?
You may want to see also
Its use in Mexican and Spanish cuisine
Monterey Jack cheese is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild flavour and melts well, making it a popular choice for Mexican and Spanish cuisine.
In Mexican cuisine, Monterey Jack is often used in Tex-Mex recipes, such as quesadillas, burritos, and grilled cheese sandwiches. It is also a popular substitute for traditional Mexican cheeses like queso fresco, Oaxaca, and Chihuahua in dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and pizza. While not an authentic Mexican cheese, its similarity in taste and texture to other commonly used Mexican cheeses makes it a good alternative.
In Spanish cuisine, Monterey Jack has its origins in the early 1700s with Spanish missionaries in present-day San Diego. They made a soft cheese called "Queso blanco pais" from cow's milk. This eventually evolved into what we now know as Monterey Jack. Today, it is commonly used in Spanish dishes that require melted cheese.
The versatility of Monterey Jack cheese extends beyond Mexican and Spanish cuisine. It is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and other American favourites. Its mild flavour and melting properties make it a popular choice for various dishes.
Firehouse Steak and Cheese: Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The history of Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack cheese, sometimes shortened to Jack, is a semi-hard cheese with a mild flavour and slight sweetness. It originated in Monterey, on the Central Coast of California, and is said to be a vestige of Spanish rule in the early nineteenth century.
In the late 1800s, a businessman from central California named David Jack took control of the land previously occupied by these missionaries. He is said to have been the first person to sell and popularise this cheese as "Jack's Cheese" or "Monterey Jack's cheese". The name eventually evolved to be known simply as Monterey Jack.
Over time, other individuals contributed to the production and commercialisation of Monterey Jack cheese. One notable example is Doña Juana Cota de Boronda, who began making and selling Queso del País (or country cheese) in Monterey to support her family after her husband's accident. There are also stories of other ranchers in the area, such as Andrew Molera, who built successful dairy operations and produced highly regarded Monterey Jack cheese.
Today, Monterey Jack cheese is widely known and loved, not only for its mild flavour but also for its versatility in dishes such as quesadillas, burritos, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches. It is a true testament to the rich history and cultural influences that have shaped the culinary landscape of California and beyond.
Cheese for Pregnant Dogs: Safe Treat or Danger?
You may want to see also
The best brands of Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack cheese is a semi-firm, creamy, mild-flavoured cheese made from cow's milk that's aged for a short period. It originated in present-day San Diego with Spanish missionaries in the 1700s. The best Monterey Jack cheese should taste fresh, feel creamy, and melt evenly without turning oily or rubbery. It is commonly used shredded on Mexican-American food.
- Tillamook: This brand offers a tangy and velvety-textured Monterey Jack cheese that can be purchased at Walmart for just over $4.
- Boar's Head: A premium brand available in high-end grocery stores like Publix Deli, Boar's Head offers a flavorful Monterey Jack cheese.
- Nasonville Dairy: This brand's Monterey Jack cheese can be purchased online or from higher-end delis.
- Costco: Costco offers a great value for money, with 2 lbs of Monterey Jack cheese available for under $7.
- Jisa's Farmstead Cheese: This brand offers an artisan Monterey Jack cheese made with whole milk and crafted in small batches. It is available in packs of three 8-oz blocks.
- Shullsburg Creamery: This brand offers a Pepper Jack variety of Monterey Jack cheese that is known for its melting properties.
The Art of Recognizing Quality Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Monterey Jack cheese is mild in flavour and creamy, with a slight firmness that resembles cheddar. It is also said to have a buttery flavour.
Monterey Jack is commonly used in Mexican and Spanish cuisine because it melts very well. It is great for grilled cheese, nachos, and quesadillas. It can also be grated over dishes like roasted chicken, burgers, and steaks.
Monterey Jack pairs well with light white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Riesling, or Chardonnay.
