This Unexpected Grocery Store Cheese Just Won ‘Best in America

Calling all cheese aficionados! If you're passionate about cheese and constantly on the lookout for the best brands to grace your charcuterie board, we have some exciting news. A beloved U.S. brand recently clinched the title of Best Cheese in the United States at the prestigious International Cheese and Dairy Awards (ICDA). And the winner is none other than Tillamook’s Farmers’ Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar—a brand that's conveniently available at your local grocery store.

Tillamook's triumph in the esteemed “Best USA Cheese in Any Variety” category of the ICDA’s 2024 Class Results is a testament to their commitment to quality. This victory was closely followed by Carr Valley Cheese Co.’s blend of sheep, goat, and cow milk cheese, and Cabot Creamery’s Alpine Cheese. This accolade comes on the heels of Tillamook's recent win for Best Sharp Cheddar at the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest.

What makes the Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar so special? This cheese is described as a “bold cheddar balanced with notes of savory smokiness.” It's meticulously cold-smoked for nine hours using 100 percent pure hickory wood smoke and aged for 15 months. The result is a creamy, buttery cheese with a sweet, smoky, and nutty finish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.

But that’s not all—Tillamook didn’t just take home one award. They garnered a total of 13 accolades in various categories, including honors for three of their Cream Cheese Spreads (Strawberry, Garden, and Chive and Onion), their Block Cream Cheese, and their 2019 Aged White Cheddar. With over 5,500 entries, securing 13 wins is a monumental achievement for this Oregon-based dairy producer.

“For 115 years, the Tillamook County Creamery Association has been committed to making extraordinary dairy, and it’s an honor to be recognized at a show as prestigious as the International Cheese and Dairy Awards,” said Jill Allen, Director of Product Excellence at TCCA, in a press release about the awards. “We are proud to be among the best cheesemakers in the world. I am so excited to be a part of TCCA’s legacy of quality, innovation, and dairy delight.”

Nestled in Tillamook, Oregon, the Tillamook Creamery is the birthplace of this award-winning cheese. The creamery not only produces exceptional cheese but also offers a variety of other dairy products, including ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, and even an assortment of frozen meals. The best part? You can find Tillamook products at every major grocery store across the United States, making it easier than ever to indulge in award-winning cheese.

So next time you're at the grocery store, don’t hesitate to pick up a block of Tillamook’s Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar. Whether you're crafting the perfect cheese platter or simply savoring a slice on its own, you’ll be enjoying a taste of the best cheese in America.