Andy Montoya
Great Ocean Road cheese is produced in the pastures along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. The area is known for its pristine environment, perfect for producing high-quality cheese. On the other hand, Illinois is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States and is known for its dairy farms and unique cheese varieties. While both locations are renowned for their cheese, the Great Ocean Road cheese is made in Australia and is not related to Illinois.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Victoria, Australia |
| Producers | Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory, Apostle Whey Cheese |
| Varieties | Colby Cheddar, Vintage Cheddar, Southern Briez, Bay of Martyr's Blue Cheese, Heystesbury Harvest Garlic |
| Made in Illinois | No |
| Illinois cheese characteristics | Uniquely Midwestern |
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What You'll Learn
Great Ocean Road Cheese is made in Victoria, Australia
The Great Ocean Road Cheese World offers complimentary cheese tastings daily, featuring popular varieties such as Colby Cheddar and Vintage Cheddar. Visitors can also purchase milk, butter, and other dairy products on-site. For a unique farm-to-table experience, travellers can visit Apostles Whey Cheese, located just 25 minutes inland from Port Campbell. Here, guests can meet the cows, watch the cheesemakers at work, and enjoy year-round cheese tastings. Apostles Whey Cheese offers a range of award-winning cheeses, including the Southern Briez, named the best Brie in Australia, as well as the Bay of Martyr’s blue cheese and Heystesbury Harvest Garlic semi-hard cheese.
While Great Ocean Road Cheese is a product of Victoria, Australia, Illinois in the United States is also known for its cheese production. Illinois is home to dairy farms and cheesemakers who contribute to the state's unique Midwestern cheese culture. Cities like Chicago host cheese shops, cafes, and markets that showcase the innovation and diversity of the local cheese community. However, Great Ocean Road Cheese specifically originates from Victoria, Australia, and reflects the high-quality dairy standards of the region.
Victoria's Allansfords, just 10 minutes from Warrnambool, is renowned for producing some of the best Great Ocean Road Cheese varieties. The pristine pastures and coastal environment contribute to the distinct character and flavour of the cheese. Visitors can explore the cheese-making process, indulge in complimentary tastings, and purchase souvenirs from the gift shop. The Great Ocean Road Cheese World and Museum also provide insights into the rich history of dairy production in the region, making it a unique educational and culinary destination for locals and tourists alike.
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Illinois is home to unique, Midwestern cheeses
Illinois may not be the first state that comes to mind when one thinks of cheese, but the Land of Lincoln is actually home to a thriving cheese culture and some truly unique, Midwestern cheeses. While Wisconsin, America's Dairyland, boasts an impressive number of dairy farms, its neighbour Illinois is making its mark on the industry with innovative cheesemakers, a new generation of mongers, and a diverse range of cheese varieties.
The state's cheese scene is particularly vibrant in Chicago, where Mexican and Italian cheesemakers are sustaining traditions and a community of curd entrepreneurs is emerging. These cheese enthusiasts are demonstrating how a city can pivot its way into cheese fame, with resilient mongers like Alisha Norris Jones (@_immortalmilk) and Randall Felts, who opened the successful cheese and wine shop Beautiful Rind during the pandemic.
Illinois offers a unique microclimate for cheese production, with its unbroken horizon and vast fields of soy and wheat. The state is also home to innovative dairy producers committed to providing the highest-quality milk, such as the Grande Cheese Company, which sources milk from Wisconsin and Illinois dairy farms.
A trip to Illinois offers cheese lovers the chance to explore a variety of cheese experiences, from farmstead tours amid prairie cropland to tasting unique cheese varieties. At Apostles Whey Cheese, visitors can enjoy a farm-to-table experience, heading out to the fields to see the cows and watch the cheesemaking process in action. Illinois truly is a state where cheese lovers can find their bliss and discover the unique, Midwestern cheeses the state has to offer!
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Chicago is a hub of cheese innovation
Great Ocean Road cheese is made in Australia, not Illinois. The pastures along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria are known for their pristine environments for producing high-quality cheese. The area is home to the Great Ocean Road Cheese World, where visitors can learn about the history of cheese-making in the region, sample locally-made cheeses, and enjoy a meal at the on-site cafe.
While Great Ocean Road cheese is not made in Illinois, the state is still a hub of cheese innovation, especially in Chicago. Chicago is home to a diverse community of cheese lovers and professionals, with a range of cheese shops, markets, and cafes offering a variety of local and international cheeses. The city has also seen the rise of cheese influencers and educators, such as Erika Kubick of @cheesesexdeath, who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love of cheese with others.
Chicago's cheese scene reflects the city's diverse cultural influences, with Mexican and Italian cheesemakers sustaining traditions and creating unique, Midwestern varieties of cheese. The state's dairy farms, fewer in number than neighbouring Wisconsin's, boast a microclimate of soy and wheat fields that gives Illinois cheeses their distinct character.
One notable example of Chicago's cheese innovation is Randall Felts, who opened the cheese and wine shop Beautiful Rind in Logan Square at the height of the pandemic. Felts is dedicated to education and accessibility, offering virtual classes, a cheese club, and online ordering for pick-up and delivery. Another example is the Guerrerense grocery, with three locations in the city, known for their selection of Mexican moles and other dairy products.
Chicago's cheese community is resilient and always evolving, with new shops, events, and experiences emerging that showcase the city's love of cheese and its potential as a centre of cheese innovation.
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Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory is Australia's oldest dairy processor
Great Ocean Road is known for its high-quality cheese and dairy products in Australia and worldwide. The lush green fields near Warrnambool, which marks the western end of the Great Ocean Road, are home to the Great Ocean Road Cheese World and Museum. This unique experience is operated by the Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory, a subsidiary of Saputo Dairy Australia Pty.
The Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory is Australia's oldest dairy processor, established in 1888. It is located in Allansford, Victoria, and is one of the largest dairy processors in the country. The company has been producing milk, butter, cream, cheese, and other dairy ingredients for over 125 years. The region surrounding Warrnambool is now home to the majority of Australia's dairy farms. The pastures along the Great Ocean Road Victoria provide a pristine environment for producing high-quality dairy products.
The Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory is a major regional employer in the South West of Victoria, with around 800 employees. The company's products are sold domestically and exported worldwide under well-known brand names such as Sungold, COON, Cracker Barrel, Mil Lel, and Great Ocean Road. The factory offers complimentary cheese tastings, providing visitors with insights into the cheese-making process and the history of Saputo Dairy Australia Pty.
The Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory has played a pivotal role in the global battle for Australia's oldest dairy producer. In 2013, a bidding war ensued between Saputo, Murray Goulburn Co-operative Ltd, and Bega Cheese Ltd for control of the company. The battle highlighted the attractiveness of Warrnambool's basic dairy produce and high-tech plant for the burgeoning Chinese dairy import market. Ultimately, the farmers and suppliers, who were concerned about job protection and milk payments, emerged as the kingmakers in the international battle.
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Apostle Whey Cheese offers a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experience
Located just under 25 minutes inland from Port Campbell, Apostle Whey Cheese welcomes visitors to explore its fields, meet the cows, and watch the cheesemakers at work as they transform milk into delicious, high-quality cheese. The company offers cheese tastings all year round, providing an opportunity to sample their renowned Southern Briez, which was named the best Brie in Australia, as well as their Bay of Martyr's blue cheese and Heystesbury Harvest Garlic semi-hard cheese.
The Great Ocean Road is renowned for its pristine pastures, which provide the perfect environment for producing exceptional cheese. The region's dairy products are celebrated throughout Australia and the world for their superior quality and exquisite flavours. Apostle Whey Cheese is a must-visit destination for cheese enthusiasts and those seeking a unique culinary experience.
In addition to its cheeses, Apostle Whey Cheese also boasts an on-site boutique, where visitors can purchase a variety of their products to enjoy at home. While in the area, visitors can also explore iconic landmarks along the Great Ocean Road, such as the Twelve Apostles and the Grotto, which inspired the names of Apostle Whey Cheese's products.
Although Illinois is known for its cheese, with its own unique, Midwestern varieties, it is not the birthplace of Great Ocean Road Cheese. However, Illinois is home to a thriving cheese culture, with Mexican and Italian cheesemakers in Chicago sustaining traditions and a new generation of mongers keeping the state at the forefront of industry trends.
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Frequently asked questions
Great Ocean Road Cheese is made in Allansfords, Victoria, Australia.
The Great Ocean Road Cheese is known for its superior quality and fine flavours. The pastures along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, provide an ideal environment for producing high-quality cheese.
Illinois is known for its uniquely Midwestern cheeses. Some cheese varieties made in Illinois include queso de cabra, requeson, jocoque, crema, cajetas, xinchos, and nata.
