The Unique Taste Of Tillamook Cheddar Cheese

what is tillamook cheddar cheese

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is a naturally aged, bold-flavoured cheese that comes in a variety of forms, including blocks, shreds, slices, and loaves. Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is made with over 100 years of cheese-making experience and is known for its freshness, real cheese flavour, and long life when stored in the refrigerator. The cheese is described as having a clean taste, a creamy texture, and melting superbly, making it perfect for cooking, salads, and snacking.

Characteristics Values
Flavour Bold, nutty, sharp, tangy, clean, fresh
Texture Creamy, melts well
Colour Bold, sophisticated
Type Cheddar
Ingredients Cultured milk, salt, enzymes, annatto (colour)
Weight 8 oz
Farmers' pledge No artificial growth hormones
Aging Naturally aged

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Tillamook Cheddar Cheese ingredients

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is crafted with just four natural ingredients, a recipe honed over more than a century of cheese-making expertise. The ingredients are cultured milk, enzymes (rennet), salt, and annatto. Cultured milk, enzymes, and salt are staple components in the cheese-making process, while annatto, derived from the seeds of the annatto tree, lends that iconic Tillamook Cheddar yellow hue.

The Tillamook Cheddar Cheese ingredients list is notably concise, a testament to the brand's longstanding cheese-making tradition. Cultured milk, the primary ingredient, provides the essential dairy base for the cheese. Enzymes, specifically rennet, are added to the milk to initiate the coagulation process, transforming it into a solid mass. Salt is then introduced, serving multiple purposes: it draws out excess moisture, enhances flavour, and acts as a preservative.

Annatto, the final ingredient in Tillamook Cheddar, is responsible for the cheese's distinctive colour. This natural colouring agent is sourced from the seeds of the annatto tree, a tropical plant. The addition of annatto gives Tillamook Cheddar its recognisable sunny hue, setting it apart from other white cheddars that omit this ingredient.

The combination of these four ingredients, in precise proportions, contributes to the unique taste, texture, and appearance of Tillamook Cheddar Cheese. The cheese-making process, honed over generations, further refines these ingredients into the final product, beloved by consumers for its bold and robust flavour.

It is worth noting that the specific quantities of each ingredient in the Tillamook Cheddar Cheese recipe are not disclosed, as they are likely proprietary information, integral to the brand's signature taste.

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Flavour and taste

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is known for its bold, sharp and nutty flavour. The cheese is naturally aged, resulting in a bolder flavour with every bite. Customers have described the taste as "clean" and "real cheese flavour". It is also said to have a nice tang and a creamy texture, melting superbly. The cheese is fresh and has a long shelf life, making it a popular choice for cooking, snacking, and adding to charcuterie boards.

The Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese is also available in an 8-ounce pack, which is priced well and lasts a while. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy a sharp and nutty flavour in their cheddar. The cheese is known to be of superior quality and many customers prefer it over other brands. The larger shreds of the medium cheddar cheese also contribute to a bolder flavour.

Some customers have mentioned that the cheese does not taste great when melted, but others have praised its melting abilities. The cheese is also used to make baked cheese straws, showing its versatility in various recipes. Overall, Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is known for its bold and distinct flavour, making it a popular choice for cheese enthusiasts.

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Texture

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is known for its bold, sharp, nutty flavour and clean, creamy texture. The cheese is naturally aged, which contributes to its bold flavour and texture.

The cheese has a smooth, creamy texture that is described as being free of the grainy texture that some extra sharp cheeses can have. This makes it a good melting cheese, with customers reporting that it "melts superbly". The cheese's texture also allows it to be shredded, making it a versatile ingredient for a variety of dishes.

The texture of Tillamook Cheddar Cheese also contributes to its long life. Customers report that the cheese stays fresh for a long time when stored in the refrigerator and does not develop mould easily. This makes it a good value proposition as the cheese lasts a long time without compromising on taste or texture.

The cheese's texture is also described as bold and sophisticated, with a nice tang. This makes it a good stand-alone snack or addition to a charcuterie board, as it adds a touch of boldness and sophistication to the presentation. The creamy texture of the cheese also makes it a good cooking ingredient, as it can be melted or shredded and added to various dishes to enhance their flavour and texture.

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Longevity

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is a product with a long history, as the recipe is based on over 100 years of cheese-making experience. The cheese is naturally aged, which results in a bolder flavor. This process ensures that every bite is better than the last.

The longevity of Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is one of its standout features. Customers have praised its long life, especially when stored in a refrigerator. It keeps for a long time without developing mold, which is uncommon for similar products. This feature makes it perfect for cooking, as well as for snacking and adding to salads and charcuterie boards.

The 8-oz size of the Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese is a popular choice for many customers, as it is priced well and usually lasts a while. The product is also available in other sizes, including 16 oz, 2.5 lb, and 5 lb. The larger shreds of the medium cheddar variant also contribute to a bolder flavor.

The farmers who supply milk for Tillamook products pledge not to use artificial growth hormones. This commitment to natural practices aligns with the company's long-standing tradition of cheese-making and contributes to the overall longevity and quality of the product.

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Tillamook company history

The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a farmer-owned dairy cooperative founded in 1909. It is headquartered in Tillamook County, Oregon, and manufactures and sells dairy products under the "Tillamook" brand name. The association includes nearly 60 dairy farms, mostly within Tillamook County, and employs almost 900 people in Oregon, making it the largest employer in Tillamook County.

The TCCA's main facility is the Tillamook Creamery, located two miles north of the city of Tillamook on U.S. Route 101. The creamery has a visitor center and hosts over 1.3 million tourists annually. In addition to cheese, the cooperative markets several other processed dairy products, including ice cream and butter.

The Tillamook Cheese Factory, the association's original cheese production facility, was built in 1949 in partnership with four independent plants and financing from the First National Bank. Under secretary-manager George R. Lawson, the cooperative began producing rindless cheese in 1946 and bottled milk the following year. In 2001, a second cheese-making facility, Columbia River Processing, Inc., was built in Boardman, Oregon, doubling the TCCA's cheese-making capabilities.

In 2009, the Tillamook County Creamery Association celebrated 100 years in business. The brand posted $1 billion in sales in 2021 and is the 44th largest dairy processor in North America. The cooperative routinely wins awards from the American Cheese Society and other groups. In 2024, Tillamook's cheddar cheese beat 4,785 cheeses from 47 countries at the World Cheese Awards.

Frequently asked questions

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is a naturally aged cheddar cheese with a bold, sophisticated flavour.

The ingredients in Tillamook Cheddar Cheese are cultured milk, salt, enzymes, and annatto (for colour).

Tillamook Cheddar Cheese comes in 8 oz, 16 oz, 2.5 lb, and 5 lb blocks.

You can buy Tillamook Cheddar Cheese on Amazon or sign up for the Tillamook email newsletter to stay informed about where to buy their products.

Customers describe Tillamook Cheddar Cheese as having a "clean taste" and a "creamy texture". It is also said to melt superbly and keep for a long time without developing mould.

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