Bushra Griffith
Mt. Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese made with pasteurized cow's milk and organic cream, produced by Cowgirl Creamery in Marin County, California. The cheese is named after Mount Tamalpais, located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is one of the most popular triple-cream cheeses and has won several awards for its sustainable sourcing and artisanal cheesemaking methods. Mt. Tam has a unique flavour profile, with notes of creme fraiche, butter, cream, fresh pasture, and mushrooms. It is smooth, creamy, and soft, melting instantly in the mouth. This cheese pairs well with champagne, sparkling wine, chocolate, jam, fruit, and cured meats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Producer | Cowgirl Creamery |
| Producer Location | Marin County, California, United States |
| Milk Source | Organic, locally sourced |
| Milk Type | Pasteurized cow's milk |
| Additional Ingredients | Cream, salt, microbial rennet (vegetarian), cultures, enzymes |
| Flavor Profile | Notes of creme fraiche, cultured butter, white mushrooms, grass, and hay |
| Texture | Smooth, creamy, soft, dense, fudgy, buttery |
| Pairings | Chocolate, jam, fruit, cured meats, sparkling wine |
| Awards | 1st place: California State Fair, 2024; International Cheese & Dairy Awards, 2023; World Cheese Awards, 2022 |
Explore related products
Cowgirl Creamery
Mt Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese with a smooth, creamy, and dense texture. It is rich and buttery, with hints of mushrooms, grass, and hay. The cheese pairs well with champagne or sparkling wine, as well as sweet things like chocolate, jam, or fruit, and salty cured meats. It is also excellent on a sandwich or baked en croute.
Mt Tam has a unique production process, in which the curd is washed, removing lactic acid and giving the cheese its sweet cream notes. The young cheeses are brined in a salt-water and whey solution, contributing to their stout shape and added height. This results in a fudgy core that most flat, disc-shaped brie-style cheeses do not have. Mt Tam has a soft rind reminiscent of white mushrooms and a range of textures, from a firm, tangy core with a gooey outer layer and fluffy rind when young, to a thick and soft buttercream-like inside with a salty, grassy flavour when ripe.
Unlocking the Secret to Hylian Cheese
You may want to see also
Marin County, California
Mt Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese made with pasteurized cow's milk. It is produced by Cowgirl Creamery, based in Marin County, California. The cheese is prepared using organic milk and cream, with microbial rennet (vegetarian) added. It has a smooth, creamy, and soft texture and melts instantly in the mouth. The cheese is rich and buttery, with hints of mushrooms, grass, and hay. It pairs well with Champagne or sparkling wine.
Cowgirl Creamery is an artisan organic cheese company founded by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith. The company is passionate about dairy as a force for good and crafts delicious cheese from the extraordinary milk produced in the region. Cowgirl Creamery emphasises the locality, place, and terroir of West Marin County. Even after moving most of their production to Petaluma, they continue to create their signature cheeses in Point Reyes, utilising the unique environment of dense fog and sea spray to craft their washed-rind Red Hawk.
Mt Tam is named after the iconic landmark Mount Tamalpais, which rises over the San Francisco Bay in Marin County. The cheese is an organic American original and is one of Cowgirl Creamery's most popular offerings. It has a unique texture and flavour profile that evolves as it ages. When young, Mt Tam exhibits notes of creme fraiche and cultured butter, with a firm tangy core and a fluffy rind. As it matures, the inside becomes thick and soft, taking on a buttercream frosting-like consistency, and the flavour develops a salty, grassy character.
Mt Tam is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It makes a perfect creamy base for bagels and charcuterie boards. It can be served with edible flowers, adding a whimsical touch to any cheese board. For a sweet twist, a cheese brûlèe can be made by broiling the cheese wheel and drizzling it with spicy chilli crisp or pairing it with fresh berries. Mt Tam also pairs well with cured meats, fresh fruits, apricot jam, and olives.
Finding Cheese Bridge: A Guide to Getting There
You may want to see also
Flavour profile
Mt. Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese with a unique flavour profile. It is made with pasteurized cow's milk and organic cream, with microbial rennet added to the mix. This cheese is produced by Cowgirl Creamery, based in Marin County, California.
The flavour of Mt. Tam is described as a delightful contrast of textures and tastes. At room temperature, it has a dense, fudgy core surrounded by a creamy layer. When young, it has notes of crème fraîche and cultured butter. As it ages, these flavours evolve into luscious, salted butter, cream, fresh pasture, and white mushrooms. The cheese is smooth, creamy, and soft, melting instantly in the mouth. It has a rich, buttery taste with hints of mushrooms, grass, and hay. The aroma is grassy and mushroomy, with a touch of richness.
Mt. Tam is often compared to brie, but the washing of the curd during production gives it a sweeter taste with notes of sweet cream. Its stout shape and added height contribute to its distinctive fudgy core. It has all the classic bloomy-rind, brie flavours but with added complexity, making it incredibly versatile.
Mt. Tam pairs well with sweet and savoury foods. It can be served with apricot jam, fresh fruit, cured meats, or olives. For a unique twist, the top can be sliced off, broiled, and drizzled with spicy chilli crisp. It also goes well with Champagne or sparkling wine.
Neutralizing Ricotta: Fresh Tips for Odor-Free Lasagna
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pairing suggestions
Mt. Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese made with pasteurized cow's milk. It is produced by Cowgirl Creamery, based in Marin County, California. The cheese is smooth, creamy, and soft, with a dense texture and hints of mushrooms, grass, and hay. It is rich and buttery, with a fudgy firmness that evolves into a buttery softness. When young, it has notes of crème fraîche and cultured butter, developing a contrast of salted butter, cream, fresh pasture, and white mushrooms as it ages.
Mt. Tam pairs well with Domaine de l'Idylle Savoie Cruet, a white wine made from 100% Jacquère, a typical Savoyard grape variety. This wine has a light floral aroma with subtle notes of pear and citrus, complementing the cheese's richness. For a springtime feast, serve Mt. Tam with this wine, asparagus, quiche, and other seasonal treats.
Champagne or sparkling wine also makes a great pairing with Mt. Tam. For a sweet touch, try it with honey or jam. If you prefer a spicy kick, pair it with hot jam or chili crisp products. Mt. Tam also goes well with sweet, sour, and spicy spreads, such as the American Spoon Sour Cherry Preserve.
When crafting a cheeseboard, consider pairing Mt. Tam with other cheeses that complement its rich and buttery flavor. Some options include Aged British Cheddar, Amish Frolic, Apple Walnut Smoked, and Bleu Mont Dairy Bandaged Cheddar. These cheeses, along with Mt. Tam, will create a delicious and varied selection for your guests.
Healthy Cheese Options: Where to Find Low-Sodium Varieties
You may want to see also
Awards
Cowgirl Creamery's Mt Tam Triple Cream is the company's most popular cheese. It is made from Straus Family Dairy's organic milk and is considered the centerpiece of any cheeseboard. Mt Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese made with pasteurized cow's milk. It is produced by Cowgirl Creamery, based in Marin County, California, United States.
Mt Tam has won several awards, including:
- 1st place at the California State Fair in 2024
- 2nd place at the California State Fair in 2022
- 3rd place at the California State Fair in 2023
- 3rd place at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in 2023
- A place at the World Cheese Awards in 2022
Cowgirl Creamery was founded by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith. The company emphasizes the locality, place, and terroir of West Marin County, California. Even after moving most of their production to Petaluma, they continue to create their washed-rind Red Hawk in Point Reyes, owing to the unique environmental conditions that give Red Hawk its signature colour and flavour.
Golden Cheese Toppings: Achieving the Ultimate Deliciousness
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mt Tam cheese is available at France 44 Cheese & Butcher Shop and iGourmet. It is also available on the official website of Cowgirl Creamery, the producer of Mt Tam cheese.
Cowgirl Creamery is based in Marin County, California, United States.
Mt Tam is a triple-cream cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and organic cream.
Mt Tam has a unique core that upholds its texture. It has a soft rind reminiscent of white mushrooms. It tastes like creme fraiche and cultured butter.
Mt Tam cheese can be eaten with cured meats, fruits, and sweet things like jam or chocolate. It goes well with champagne or sparkling wine.
