This All-American Cheese Just Won "World's Best Cheddar"

When you think of the great cheeses of the world, you probably imagine the triple creme Bries of France, the smooth Emmentaler of Switzerland, and the nutty manchego of Spain, but it’s time to update your cheese Rolodex to include an all-American cheese that’s known as one of the best in the world—Tillamook Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar nabbed the award for World Cheese Awards Trophy for Best Cheddar Cheese, the most prestigious cheese-only competition, held at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu in Portugal.

What Are the World Cheese Awards?

This year’s World Cheese Awards judged a staggering 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries, the largest assortment of cheeses in the awards’ 36-year history. The competition brought together 244 international cheese experts—chefs, buyers, producers, and other industry pros—from 39 countries for a blind judging process evaluating each cheese based on appearance, aroma, body, texture, and of course, flavor.

What Makes Tillamook’s Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar So Special?

This past fall, I had the chance to visit the Tillamook Creamery, where I witnessed firsthand the meticulous attention to detail the farmer-owned co-op puts into every step of cheese production, from cow care to their manufacturing standards. It’s a serious but friendly operation, with an emphasis on treating the land, farmers, and cows extremely well. That has paid off in the co-op’s collection of cheddars, especially the award-winning Maker’s Reserve Line, which was my favorite bite of the whole trip. 

The gold-medal cheddar has a nutty flavor with hints of caramel and a slightly acidic finish with a perfectly flaky, cheese-crystal-y texture. My favorite way to enjoy it is straight-up, without so much as a cracker. It’s that good. I also love including the complex cheddar on a cheese board with fig jam and green olives, which complement the flavors of the cheddar.

Good News for Cheddar Lovers

Tillamook is consistently establishing itself as a player on the global cheese stage with their well-crafted cheeses. The co-op also took home honors for the Tillamook Farmers' Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar and for the Tillamook Farmers' Collection English Style Sweet Cheddar.

"Our Maker's Reserve Cheddars are truly special and reflect the all-important factor of time. Our aging process transforms the cheese into an unforgettable tasting experience," said Jill Allen, Tillamook's Director of Product Excellence, in a press release. "The recognition of our 2014 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar as the Best Cheddar in the World is an incredible honor and a true reflection of our company's commitment to making extraordinary dairy."

TRY IT NOW: Maker's Reserve 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar (Due to popular demand, the cheese may be out of stock.)