Prairie Sunset Cheese: A Unique, Savory Sunset Delight

Prairie Sunset® is a sweet, approachable, and versatile cheese with a dense, smooth, and chewy texture. It is often described as a cheddar-gouda blend, made with pasteurized, cultured cow's milk and aged for four months in the cellars of Monroe, Wisconsin. With its brightly hued orange paste, this cheese embodies the colour and soul of the American Heartland. It is produced by Emmi Roth, a company that has been synonymous with quality since its inception in Niederbipp, Switzerland, in 1863.

Flavour and texture

The flavour of Prairie Sunset® cheese is described as sweet and approachable, with a fusion of salinity and creamy sweetness, along with a touch of gouda nuttiness. It is often likened to a "cheddar-gouda" blend. The cheese is made with pasteurised, cultured cow's milk and aged for at least four months in the cheesemakers' cellars in Monroe, Wisconsin. This process gives the cheese its dense, smooth, and chewy texture.

Prairie Sunset® is versatile in its applications, being suitable for snacking, cooking, and entertaining. It pairs well with fruits like apples and grapes, as well as meats such as salami and summer sausage. The cheese can be shredded and added to soups, salads, potatoes, chilli, and burgers, enhancing their flavour. It is also ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. For a more indulgent option, Roth, the maker of Prairie Sunset®, recommends using it in their Cheesy BBQ Baked Chicken Wings recipe.

In terms of beverage pairings, Prairie Sunset® goes well with wines such as barrel-fermented Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as amber or pale ales. Its versatility and sweet, approachable flavour make it a favourite among both children and adults.

The inspiration for the cheese came from a Wisconsin sunset observed by the cheesemakers while returning home from a long day at the creamery. The brightly hued orange paste of the cheese captures the colour and character of the Midwest, reflecting the beauty of a sunset over the prairie.

Inspiration

Prairie Sunset® is a unique cheese inspired by the beauty of the American Midwest, specifically the stunning sunsets that paint the Wisconsin prairie in rich ochre hues. The idea for this cheese was born during a drive home from the creamery one evening, as the cheesemakers witnessed the sun slowly sinking below the horizon, casting its warm glow over the vast landscape.

The cheesemakers drew upon their knowledge of art, recalling the vibrant colour palette of Georgia O'Keefe, a native of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. They envisioned a cheese that would capture the essence of this breathtaking scene—a true homage to the heart and soul of the Midwest. Thus, Prairie Sunset® was crafted to embody both the colour and character of this remarkable region.

This Wisconsin original stands out for its sweet and approachable flavours, making it a versatile favourite for snacking, cooking, and entertaining. Its distinctive orange paste is a result of the blending of two beloved cheeses, cheddar and gouda, creating a dense, smooth, and chewy texture. The fusion of salinity and creamy sweetness, with a touch of gouda nuttiness, makes it a delightful addition to any cheeseboard.

Prairie Sunset® is more than just a delicious cheese; it is a celebration of the Midwest's natural beauty and the creativity of its cheesemakers. The inspiration behind this cheese showcases how art, nature, and culinary craftsmanship can come together harmoniously, resulting in a product that delights the senses and captures the essence of a place. This blend of art and cuisine is a testament to the innovative spirit of cheesemakers who draw inspiration from their surroundings to create something truly special.

Pairing suggestions

Prairie Sunset is a sweet, approachable, and versatile cheese with a dense, smooth, and chewy texture. Its flavour profile includes a fusion of salinity and creamy sweetness with a touch of gouda nuttiness. It is a "cheddar-gouda" blend, made from pasteurized, cultured cow's milk and aged for four months.

• Fruits and Meat: The cheese pairs well with apples, grapes, salami, and summer sausage. Its sweet flavour is a perfect complement to the natural sugars in fruits, and its dense and chewy texture stands up to the richness of meats like salami and sausage.
• Snacks and Appetizers: Prairie Sunset is excellent for snacking and can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a cheeseboard. Its approachable flavour and texture make it a crowd-pleaser, and it can be paired with crackers, bread, or charcuterie items.
• Cooking and Melting: This cheese is versatile in cooking. It can be shredded and melted on soups, salads, potatoes, chilli, and burgers. Its melting properties and buttery flavour also make it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and BBQ chicken wings.
• Beverages: When it comes to drinks, Prairie Sunset pairs beautifully with wines such as barrel-fermented Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For beer lovers, amber or pale ales will complement the cheese's sweet and nutty flavours.

Recipes

Prairie Sunset is a sweet and approachable "cheddar-gouda" blend from Wisconsin, USA. It is made with pasteurized, cultured cow's milk and aged for at least four months in the cellars of Monroe, Wisconsin. Its dense, smooth, and chewy paste is brightly hued in orange and has a fusion of salinity and creamy sweetness with a touch of gouda nuttiness.

Classic Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

This classic comfort food pairing is a perfect match for Prairie Sunset. The cheese's sweetness and slight nuttiness will complement the grilled cheese sandwich, while the soup provides a tangy contrast. Simply prepare your favourite grilled cheese sandwich recipe, using Prairie Sunset as the cheese, and pair it with a bowl of hot tomato soup.

Cheesy BBQ Baked Chicken Wings

As recommended by Roth, the makers of Prairie Sunset, this recipe is a perfect way to showcase the cheese. The sweet and savoury notes of the cheese will blend beautifully with the BBQ sauce. You can use your favourite BBQ chicken wings recipe and simply top the wings with shredded Prairie Sunset before serving.

Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Peppers

Wrapping peppers in bacon and baking them until crispy is a delicious way to enjoy Prairie Sunset. Try stuffing the peppers with the shredded cheese before wrapping them in bacon. The spiciness of the peppers will be balanced by the creamy sweetness of the cheese.

Macaroni and Cheese

Prairie Sunset's gooey, chewy texture and sweet, buttery flavour make it an excellent choice for a macaroni and cheese recipe. The dense, smooth paste will create a creamy sauce that coats the macaroni perfectly. You can also add some diced tomatoes or peppers for a colourful and flavourful twist.

Salads, Soups, Potatoes, Chilli, and Burgers

Prairie Sunset is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Shredded Prairie Sunset can be sprinkled on top of salads, soups, baked potatoes, chilli, or even used as a topping for burgers. Its orange hue and mild flavour will enhance the visual and taste appeal of these dishes.

Availability

Prairie Sunset® cheese is available for purchase from a variety of online retailers, including the Roth Cheese website, the Alp and Dell Cheese Store, iGourmet, and Cheese of the Month Club. The Alp and Dell Cheese Store, based in Monroe, Wisconsin, advertises that their 1lb blocks of Prairie Sunset® cheese usually ship within 3 to 5 days. The cheese is also available in Canada, as indicated by a Reddit user who purchased it there.

Prairie Sunset® is produced by Roth Käse USA, which operates out of Wisconsin, nicknamed the "Swiss cheese capital of the USA." The company sources its rBST-free milk from Monroe, Wisconsin's Rolling Hills Dairy Producers Cooperative, which is made up of 152 family farms within a 60-mile radius of the creamery.

The cheese is described as a "cheddar-gouda" blend, with sweet, approachable flavors that make it versatile and well-suited for snacking, cooking, and entertaining. It is aged for at least four months in the cheesemakers' cellars in Monroe, Wisconsin.

Prairie Sunset® is a relatively new variety of cheese, inspired by the vibrant hues of a Wisconsin sunset observed by the cheesemakers while driving home from the creamery one evening. The name and branding of the cheese pay homage to artist Georgia O'Keefe, a native of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and her work, which often featured rich ochre colors.

Frequently asked questions