Frederic Melton
Humboldt Fog is a goat's milk cheese made by Cypress Grove, of Arcata, California, in Humboldt County. It is named after the local ocean fog that rolls in from Humboldt Bay. This cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and is one of the first cheeses to popularize goat's milk among Americans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Soft-ripened goat's milk cheese |
| Manufacturer | Cypress Grove |
| Manufacturer Location | Arcata, Humboldt County, California |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized cultured goat milk, salt, enzymes, vegetable ash |
| Rennet Type | Microbial (vegetarian) |
| Flavor | Tangy, earthy, floral notes, herbaceous overtones, clean citrus finish |
| Texture | Creamy, cakey, gooey, crumbly |
| Appearance | Distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash in the center |
| Serving Temperature | Remove from the refrigerator at least one hour before serving |
| Storage | Keep cold (32°–40°F) and wrapped in waxed paper |
| Shelf Life | 98 days uncut for 3lb and 5lb wheel, 84 days uncut for 1lb wheel |
| Awards | Best of Class, American Cheese Society (1998, 2002, 2005, 2019), Best of California, California State Fair 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
Humboldt Fog is a goat's milk cheese made from pasteurized milk
Humboldt Fog is handcrafted with a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash through its centre. This ash is similar to that found in Morbier cheese. As the cheese matures, a cream line develops, and the flavour intensifies. The cheese has a creamy texture with floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrusy finish.
Humboldt Fog is an uncooked pressed cheese. It ripens from the outside in, as the mould used to create its rind breaks down the proteins in the cheese. This results in a gooey creamline that develops under the rind. The cheese has a bloomy mould and ash rind, both of which are edible but fairly tasteless.
Humboldt Fog has a microbial (vegetarian) rennet type. It has an optimal shelf life of 98 days uncut for the 3lb and 5lb wheels and 84 days uncut for the 1lb wheel. To optimise the quality of the cheese, it should be kept cold (32°–40°F) and wrapped in waxed paper.
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It is handcrafted with a ribbon of edible vegetable ash
Humboldt Fog is a goat's milk cheese made by Cypress Grove, of Arcata, California, in Humboldt County. It is handcrafted with a ribbon of edible vegetable ash. Each wheel of Humboldt Fog goat cheese is carefully crafted with a distinctive layer of ash that runs through its centre. This ash is made from vegetables and is safe to eat, contributing to the unique texture and taste of the cheese.
The cheese was conceived in a dream by the founder of Cypress Grove, Mary Keehn, in the early 1980s. It was one of the first cheeses to popularise goat's milk among American cheese eaters. Humboldt Fog is a soft-ripened cheese, and as it matures, it develops a rich cream line and its flavour becomes more intense. The creamy texture and vegetable ash make this goat cheese stand out.
The process of making Humboldt Fog involves blending pasteurized cultured goat milk with salt, enzymes, and vegetable ash. The cheese then ripens from the outside in, as the mould used to create its rind breaks down the proteins, forming a gooey cream line under the rind. This cream line adds to the complexity of the cheese's texture and taste.
Humboldt Fog's ribbon of vegetable ash not only enhances the cheese's flavour but also pays tribute to the French Morbier cheese style. This distinctive line of ash has become one of the most copied styles of American cheese. The ash separates the light, cakey layers of the cheese, creating a unique appearance and texture. The cheese is built like a layer cake, with dense, creamy textures and bright, tangy flavours.
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The cheese is soft-ripened and has a creamy texture
Humboldt Fog is a goat's milk cheese made by Cypress Grove, of Arcata, California, in Humboldt County. It is named after the local ocean fog that rolls in from Humboldt Bay. This soft-ripened cheese is made using microbial (vegetarian) rennet and has a creamy texture with floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrusy finish.
The cheese ripens from the outside in, and as the mould used to create its rind breaks down the proteins in the paste, a gooey cream line develops under the rind. As the cheese matures, the cream line becomes more distinct, and the flavour intensifies. The cheese is creamy, light, and mildly acidic, with a stronger flavour near the rind.
Humboldt Fog is built like a layer cake, with a distinct ribbon of edible vegetable ash in the centre. This ash contributes to the cheese's soft-ripened texture and unique flavour. The cheese is best stored cold (32°–40°F) and wrapped in waxed paper to maintain its optimal quality.
To serve, it is recommended to remove Humboldt Fog from the refrigerator at least one hour before serving. It can be drizzled with honey and served with prosciutto, tart apple, and Marcona almonds, or crumbled over a salad for a delicious treat. The cheese's creamy texture and unique flavour profile make it a memorable choice for cheese enthusiasts.
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It has a distinctive layer of ash through the centre
Humboldt Fog is a goat's milk cheese made by Cypress Grove, of Arcata, California, in Humboldt County. It is named after the local ocean fog that rolls in from Humboldt Bay. This soft-ripened cheese is made using microbial (vegetarian) rennet and has a distinctive layer of edible ash through the centre.
The ash is made from vegetables and forms a ribbon through the centre of the cheese. This ribbon of ash separates the cheese's light, cakey layers. As the cheese matures, the cream line develops, and the flavour intensifies. The bloomy mould and ash rind are edible but fairly tasteless.
Humboldt Fog is a mould-ripened cheese, which means it ripens from the outside in as the cultivated mould used to create its rind breaks down the proteins in the paste. This process results in a gooey creamline that develops under the rind. The cheese is creamy and mildly acidic, with a stronger flavour near the rind.
Humboldt Fog is a highly awarded cheese, having won Best of Class at the American Cheese Society Awards in 1998, 2002, 2005, and 2019, as well as Best of California at the California State Fair in 2019. It is a true American original and is one of the most-copied styles of American cheese.
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Humboldt Fog is an award-winning cheese
Humboldt Fog is an award-winning goat cheese made by Cypress Grove, of Arcata, California, in Humboldt County. It is named after the local ocean fog that rolls in from Humboldt Bay. This goat milk cheese is an uncooked pressed cheese made from pasteurized goat's milk. It is a mold-ripened cheese with a central line of edible vegetable ash, similar to Morbier. The cheese ripens from the outside, resulting in a core of fresh goat cheese enveloped by a runny shell. As the cheese matures, the initially crumbly core transforms into a soft-ripened texture. The bloomy mold and ash rind are edible but have a subtle flavour. The cheese has a creamy, light, and mildly acidic taste, with a more intense flavour near the rind.
Humboldt Fog has received numerous accolades for its exceptional quality and taste. It won first-place awards from the American Cheese Society in 1998, 2002, and 2005. Additionally, it was awarded Best of Class by the same organisation in 1998, 2002, 2005, and 2019. At the California State Fair in 2019, it was recognised as the Best of California. These awards attest to the cheese's superior quality and flavour.
The cheese is handcrafted into wheels featuring a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash. This ash contributes to the unique appearance and texture of the cheese. As Humboldt Fog matures, a cream line develops, enhancing the flavour and creaminess of the cheese. The optimal shelf life of the cheese is 98 days uncut for the 3-pound and 5-pound wheels and 84 days uncut for the 1-pound wheel.
Humboldt Fog is a true American original, paving the way for soft-ripened goat cheese in the United States. It is a California original, popularising goat's milk among American cheese enthusiasts. The cheese is known for its creamy, cakey, and gooey texture, with a tangy flavour that pairs well with honey, prosciutto, and tart apples. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or crumbled over a salad for a gourmet touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Humboldt Fog goat cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk.
Humboldt Fog is a soft-ripened goat's milk cheese made by Cypress Grove Chevre in Arcata, California, located in Humboldt County. It is named for the local ocean fog that rolls in from Humboldt Bay.
Humboldt Fog is a creamy, light, and mildly acidic cheese with a stronger flavor near the rind. It has floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrus finish.
