Randy Chandler
Iowa is home to a growing cheese industry, with a variety of producers making everything from blue cheese to cheddar. Swiss Valley Farms, the 23rd largest dairy cooperative in the country, makes just about every variety of cheese from blue to cheddar. Northeastern Iowa's Yellow River Dairy makes cheese curds in a bevy of flavours and block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium and sharp. Iowa's first micro-dairy, Reichert's Dairy Air, makes goat cheese, while Leighton's Frisian Farms Cheese makes Gouda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Varieties | Blue, White and Block Cheddar, Feta, Mozzarella, Provolone, Chevre, European-style cheeses, Gouda, Cheese curds |
| Producers | Swiss Valley Farms, Reichert's Dairy Air, Frisian Farms Cheese, The Cheese Shop |
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What You'll Learn
Iowa's cheese industry
Iowa's first micro-dairy, Reichert's Dairy Air, makes goat cheese in Knoxville. Northeastern Iowa's Yellow River Dairy makes cheese curds in a variety of flavours and block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium and sharp varieties.
Swiss Valley Farms, a cooperative of 575 dairy producers established in 1958, is the 23rd largest dairy cooperative in the country. It makes just about every variety of cheese from blue to cheddar.
Other Iowa cheesemakers include a dairy near Cedar Falls and Waterloo that makes cheese curds in plain and red pepper, and a maker of small-batch Gouda cheese in the heart of Dutch country.
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Iowa cheesemakers
Iowa's cheese industry is growing, with a range of cheesemakers across the state.
Swiss Valley Farms, a cooperative of 575 dairy producers established in 1958, is the 23rd largest dairy cooperative in the country. It makes just about every variety of cheese, from blue to cheddar.
Iowa's first micro-dairy, Reichert's Dairy Air, makes goat's cheese in Knoxville.
Frisian Farms in Leighton offers an insight into the entire artisanal cheese-making process. Visitors can see fresh, frothy milk being poured into large, shiny vats and oversized wheels of cheese ripening in the pleasantly cool ageing room.
A northeastern Iowa dairy, Yellow River Dairy, uses the milk from two local farms to make cheese curds in a bevy of flavours and block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium and sharp varieties.
A maker of small-batch Gouda cheese can be found in the heart of Dutch country. Try Sneek, aged 1,000 days for a bold flavour.
A dairy near Cedar Falls and Waterloo dishes out cheese curds in plain and red pepper.
Cheesemaker Sharon Oamek uses goat milk to make her mild cheeses every two days. Find chevre soft cheeses in basil garlic, dill and cranberry horseradish.
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Iowa's micro-dairies
Northeastern Iowa's Yellow River Dairy uses the milk from two local farms to make cheese curds in a bevy of flavours and block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium and sharp varieties.
Iowa's first micro-dairy, Reichert's Dairy Air, and its goat cheese out of Knoxville, and the Goudas from Leighton's Frisian Farms Cheese are smaller boutique cheese producers. Visitors to Frisian Farms in Leighton will get to experience the entire artisanal cheese-making process.
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Iowa's cheese shops
Iowa's cheese industry is growing, with a range of varieties available across the state. From blue cheese to white cheddar, Iowa has it all.
The Cheese Shop in Des Moines is a locally owned establishment that specialises in artisanal cheeses and always carries a stock of Iowa goods. Visitors can enjoy a bacon and blue cheese toastie or gourmet mac and cheese.
Frisian Farms in Leighton offers an insight into the entire artisanal cheese-making process, with fresh, frothy milk being poured into large, shiny vats and oversized wheels of cheese ripening in the pleasantly cool ageing room.
Northeastern Iowa's Yellow River Dairy takes its name from the nearby state forest and uses the milk from two local farms to make cheese curds in a variety of flavours and block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium and sharp varieties.
Iowa's first micro-dairy, Reichert's Dairy Air, produces goat cheese out of Knoxville, while Leighton's Frisian Farms Cheese makes Goudas.
Swiss Valley Farms, the 23rd largest dairy cooperative in the country, offers just about every variety of cheese from blue to cheddar.
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Iowa's dairy farms
One northeastern Iowa dairy, Yellow River Dairy, takes its name from the nearby state forest and uses milk from two local farms to make cheese curds in a variety of flavours and block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium, and sharp varieties.
Iowa's cheese industry also includes well-known brands such as Des Moines' own Anderson Erickson and smaller producers like Leighton's Frisian Farms Cheese, which offers visitors the chance to experience the entire artisanal cheese-making process.
The Cheese Shop in Des Moines, a locally owned establishment specialising in artisanal cheeses, always carries a stock of Iowa goods. From fresh, frothy milk being poured into large, shiny vats to oversized wheels of cheese ripening in the pleasantly cool ageing room, there is something for everyone in Iowa's growing cheese industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Iowa produces a wide range of cheeses, including blue cheese, white cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, gouda, feta, and chevre.
Yes, Iowa is home to several small-batch cheese producers, including Reichert's Dairy Air, which makes goat cheese, and a maker of small-batch gouda cheese found in the heart of Dutch country.
Some Iowa-based cheese shops and producers include The Cheese Shop in Des Moines, Frisian Farms in Leighton, Swiss Valley Farms, and Yellow River Dairy in northeastern Iowa.
Yellow River Dairy in northeastern Iowa uses milk from local farms to make cheese curds in a variety of flavours, as well as block cheddar cheeses in mild, medium, and sharp varieties.
