Four Artisan Cheeses from Northeast Florida

While artisan cheese has long been associated with Europe, over the last few decades artisan cheese has slowly taken root in the U.S. In recent years, American cheeses have even begun winning international awards over classic European cheeses. Northeast Florida has a few local dairies that have entered the artisan cheese arena, each offering its own unique style and flavors to the culinary world. In honor of American cheese month, here is a guide to some of our local artisan cheeses, including one from Thomasville, Georgia, along with drink and food pairing suggestions.

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BABY SWISS: Produced by Wainwright Dairy in Live Oak, Florida

Baby Swiss is a milder American variation of the classic Swiss cheese. Made with whole milk and aged for only a few months, Baby Swiss has a smooth, creamy texture with a fewer, small eyes. This buttery cheese has a rich, sweet flavor with nutty undertones.

Goes well with: sweet fruits, dried fruits, croissants, or crusty artisan bread
Drink with: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Lager or pale ales

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MAGNOLIA: Made by Cypress Point Creamery in Hawthorne, Florida.

This local take on gouda-style cheese is smooth and creamy, with a firm texture. Featuring small eyes and a rich paste, Magnolia has a sweet, fruity flavor interlaced with caramel, nutty tones.

Goes well with: fruits, crackers, bread, or mustard
Drink with: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Champagne, brown or amber ales

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BLEU SUNSHINE:  Produced by Winter Park Dairy in Florida.

This blue vein cheese is made with raw milk and aged over 60 days. With a thin light brown rind topped with gray mold, the rich paste features strong notes of blue. The creamy texture of Bleu Sunshine has a mild, nutty taste that makes this cheese ideal for a cheese board.

Goes well with: dried fruit, walnuts, crackers, or fresh fruit such as apples or pears
Drink with: Sauternes, Chardonnay, Monbazillac, Meursalt, or Port

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THOMASVILLE TOMME: Made in south Georgia by Sweet Grass Dairy. 

Created with raw, grass-based cow’s milk, Thomasville Tomme is one of Sweet Grass Dairy's most popular cheeses, winning 1st place at The American Cheese Society Competition in 2002. This old world style cheese is crafted in the style of a French Pyrenees Mountain farmhouse tomme, aged sixty to ninety days with a natural rind. Semi-soft with a creamy texture, Thomasville Tomme has an earthy, buttery flavor with hints of salt.

Goes well with: apricots, pears, salted nuts, fruit preserves or salami and sourdough bread
Drink with: Pinot Noir, Gamay, Syrah, or pale ales