Grate. Pair. Share. (71)

There’s something comforting about stepping into a family cheese factory, where local, fresh milk fills the vats, cheesemakers move with a steady rhythm, and the aroma of handcrafted cheese carries layers of history. Inside these intimate, multigenerational spaces, the floors may be concrete, but the atmosphere feels like cozy living rooms, with stories passed down as faithfully as time-honored recipes.

Think you know cheese? Think again. Cheese inspires as much passion as it does misconceptions. From “don’t eat that” rinds to the belief that cheese tastes best served cold, the world of cheese buzzes with myths ready to be debunked. We’re here to bust the biggest ones so you can savor every bite with confidence.

Double the deliciousness and bring cheese lovers together with some of Wisconsin’s most intriguing duos—sophisticated specialties like Hill Valley Dairy Luna, Roelli Red Rock and Marieke® Golden. These inventive gems reimagine tradition, marrying the best qualities of cheeses like gouda, parmesan, cheddar and beyond into bold, layered creations that balance complexity and comfort. Full-flavored and crowd-pleasing, they take center stage in melty shareables made to satisfy every kind of cheese craving.

Brighten spirits the Wisconsin way—with cheese, of course! These holiday gifts are as joyfully unexpected as they are delicious. Each is packaged with tasteful trimmings, making them ideal for those hard-to-shop-for favorites on your list.

These sophisticated five-ingredient appetizers prove that less really is more—especially when artisanal cheeses from Wisconsin take the spotlight.

The holiday invite is out, and your host has asked you to bring a dish to pass. Don’t panic—this is your chance to wow the crowd with something irresistible, a recipe you can be proud to share.

The sweet, nutty punch of aged parmesan, the silky whisper of light, creamy mascarpone, the hint of blue notes and earthy vibes of blue-veined cheddar—to a chef, cheeses are more than ingredients.

A perfect wine and cheese pairing is like a perfect melody. It just sings. Like notes in a well-composed ballad, the right duo creates a harmony of flavors that resonates on the palate.

The Gherkin in London, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Taliesin in Spring Green—each iconic landmark was shaped by architects who turned to nature for inspiration in their visionary designs.

Discover how Hoard’s Dairyman Farm Creamery’s St. Saviour and Schroeder Käse’s Triple Creme Brie bring French flair to the Midwest.

Hosting Thanksgiving? Deliver big-time flavor and richness to your holiday table with festive side dishes featuring bold, artisanal cheeses.

In Wisconsin, cheese is an art form that transcends the plate. It’s first presented as an edible showpiece that catches the eyes, then rewards the taste buds.

Stretch your culinary skills by preparing and serving cheese in exciting, unexpected ways such as pickling, infusing or smoking it.

Find your next cheese obsession. Each has its own personality, matched with wine, a tasty bite and other delicious pairings.

Explore a world of cheeses with international roots—like queso fresco, cotija and paneer— featured in dishes ideal for dining alfresco.

Celebrate the year's biggest horse race with elegant dishes inspired by the South’s iconic flavors matched with Wisconsin's specialty cheeses.

Exceptional cheeses begin with exceptional milk. Learn how Wisconsin’s cheesemakers source the finest milk to handcraft their cheese masterpieces.

Celebrate special moments in spring with characterful, tasty specialty cheeses that have a storybook beginning, made by Deer Creek Cheese.

Create restaurant-style meals at home with the ultimate secret ingredient—flavorful and award-winning specialty cheese.

Discover the gooey science behind how cheese melts for velvety cheese sauces, fondues and more. Plus, six oh-so-smooth cheese picks for melting.

Add excitement to your recipes with spiced cheeses. White Jasmine’s flavored gouda cheeses are infused with exotic Pakistani herbs and spices.

Make entertaining effortless by serving Cello® Cheese’s buttery fontal cheese, available in original and hand-rubbed cheese rinds.

Take your taste buds to new heights with themed cheese flights featuring cheddar, blue cheese, and more, including recipes to bring the flavors home.

In this article, we’ll explore how both burrata and mozzarella cheese are made, what sets them apart, and the best ways to enjoy each.

Look like a pairing pro when you treat your guests to a cheese and wine dinner menu featuring specialty cheeses and curated wines.

Discover more about Sartori® Cheese and their finely crafted Italian-inspired cheeses that date back decades.

Learn how to expertly combine two culinary treasures for gift-giving with chocolate and cheese pairing tips from cheese expert Austin Coe Butler.

Savor new cheese pairings! Contestants from across the country competed in Cheeselandia challenges and created their perfect bites.

Plan a delicious night and gather your loved ones for a cheese-filled progressive dinner. This fun and entertaining idea is perfect for Friendsgiving!

Experience double the pleasure with Wood River Creamery ® Cheddar Gruyere, a delectable masterwork captivating fans worldwide.

Learn how the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker ® Program turns licensed cheesemakers into world-class creators who make the cheeses you crave.

It’s summertime and the livin’ is easy and delicious. Especially when the season’s freshest flavors are combined with Wisconsin cheeses, such as Deer Creek® The Fawn, Odyssey® Traditional Crumbled Feta and La Bottega di BelGioioso® Crescenza-Stracchino™.

Serve a visual feast with restaurant-quality cheese plates bursting with colors, textures and flavors.

Celebrate our proud cheesemaking heritage and discover these delicious doings for cheese lovers.

Savor spicy pepper-spiked cheeses balanced with summer’s best ingredients in grilled dishes.

Get an insider’s look into three renowned cheese competitions, learn about a day in the life of a cheese judge, and discover four championship cheeses.

Named after French wine terms that mean ‘the best of the best,’ Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix, inspired by traditional Swiss gruyère, lives up to its moniker.

After winter’s long hibernation, the promise of spring awakens our culinary senses, beckoning us into the kitchen to create dreamy ricotta gnocchi.

In the 9,000 years since its creation, cheese has become a beloved food many of us can’t live without. That’s especially true in Wisconsin, where cheese is part of our cultural identity and everything we do here.

Any way you melt it, raclette should be on every foodie's wish list. This alpine-style cheese is a luxurious treat to savor and a fun culinary experience that begs to be shared

In Wisconsin, nothing says love like sharing artisan cheeses!

What’s old is new again when artisan cheeses handcrafted for modern palates transform nostalgic eats. We’ve revamped three classic bites by incorporating some of Wisconsin’s most creative cheeses with a few twists for an updated look and taste.

Discover an American Original so magical that even Santa may consider trading his milk and cookies for a cheese plate featuring chiseled slices of fruity, nutty and deliciously complex Gran Canaria®.

Whether hosting a few friends on the fly or a festive get-together of grand proportions, planning a great party is easy when you invite artisanal treasures from The State of Cheese.

Make this season’s meals more meaningful by setting a place at your holiday table for Wisconsin’s farmstead cheesemakers.

Loved ones? They’re gathered around the table. Turkey? It’s juicy, deep golden brown and beautiful. Standout 2022 World Championship cheeses? Bring on their award-winning flavors in stunning side dishes that’ll ensure a remarkable Thanksgiving feast.

Like a fine wine, bourbon, balsamic vinegar, your favorite pair of jeans and Grandma’s cast-iron skillet—cheddar cheese gets better with age.

Here in Wisconsin, there’s a palette of specialty cheeses from which you can paint your next culinary masterpiece. Cheese attributes like acidity, moisture, textures ranging from soft to hard, and flavors from mild to sharp assist the artist behind the apron in determining the right cheese to make any dish a standout.

The world’s most distinctive cheeses—many handcrafted in Wisconsin—share a common trait: a strong finish. Affinage, the final step in the cheesemaking process, is the art of aging cheeses.

Channel your inner Michelangelo and sculpt an edible work of art with the world’s best cheeses—from The State of Cheese.

As a great concert soloist can make a performance memorable, a fantastic cheese shines on its own. But accompany it with the symphony of flavors in a harvest sangria or brandy old-fashioned, and you have a delectable concerto.

Cheese is their canvas; your enjoyment is their muse. Meet three Wisconsin cheesemakers who are painting a new picture of artisan cheeses using innovative flavors, time-honored techniques and out-of-the-cheese-cube thinking.

Even when summer temperatures soar, these cool Wisconsin- crafted cheeses have a reputation for keeping their shape on a hot grill.

A passion for the environment combined with a love for artisan cheesemaking and collaboration is why Master Cheesemaker Bob Wills continues to be one of the most respected influencers in Wisconsin cheesemaking.

There’s something to be said for a good stretch, especially when making cheese. Let us introduce you to the pasta filata (meaning “spun paste” in Italian) family.

Just-picked sweet peas, crisp asparagus and delicate ramps—let farm-to-table produce combined with artisan cheeses be your inspiration for tasty meals this spring.

Yes, it’s true that in The State of Cheese, we have a delicious obsession with the milky and blissfully mild cheese curd.

With its deep river valleys, steep bluffs, and some of the world’s most highly decorated cheeses and cheesemakers—this is Wisconsin’s Driftless region.

Savor pockets of pure bliss when you sample a Parisian street-food favorite stuffed with creamy havarti, brick and blue cheeses.

Ignite a new passion for spicy cheeses with hot tips for savoring, serving and pairing them.

Get gift basket ideas, an amazing sandwich using holiday leftovers, and advice for buying cheese—this expert panel has you (and your cheese needs) covered.

Create a cheese board that’s anything but basic with tips for creating your masterpiece, plus pairing ideas to make delicious bites.

Whether handcrafted with winter milk, infused with signature ingredients or expertly aged, these sophisticated seasonal cheeses are worthy of savoring and celebration.

Like the finest of wines, cheesemaking gets better with time. Especially when guarded family recipes and closely held techniques are combined with today’s innovative spirit. Here in Wisconsin, cheesemaking is often a family business.

Fellow cheese lovers, we have a lot to be thankful for this time of year in The State of Cheese—our families, our farmers and Wisconsin’s rich cheesemaking heritage. Celebrate this abundance of blessings with your most precious people around a table set with a harvest feast

It’s that time of year when our favorite symphony of flavors come into play—apple, cranberry, cinnamon, pumpkin spice and more. Always innovating and inspired, Wisconsin cheesemakers haven’t missed a beat using them to craft seasonal treasures you can’t help but fall for.

Something special happens when summer days, water and the shoreline meet. Time slows and good vibes are a guarantee. Add family or friends and a menu filled with the best cheeses in the world, and you’ll experience lake living at its finest.

Learn about baby swiss, emmentaler and more. Plus, plan a day trip to New Glarus to savor these iconic cheeses!

Ron Henningfeld of Hill Valley Dairy crafts cheeses that make people happy. From squeaky cheese curds to unique cheddars, he creates fun flavors meant to be enjoyed daily.

The best cheeseburgers start with melting artisan Wisconsin cheese on burgers, and then selecting a bread, a spread, a little something for crunch and topping with extras. Here are our five favorites. Try one, all or mix and match these ideas to create your own!