Cheddar
Cheese

Q: How long do you age your cheddar cheeses? What makes them “sharp?"

https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/all?flavor=cheddar develop their flavors through the natural process of aging. The longer they age, the “sharper” and more flavorful they become. Tillamook Cheddars are naturally aged in 40-pound blocks for a minimum of: https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/all?flavor=cheddar&sharpness=medium – 60 days https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/all?flavor=cheddar&sharpness=sharp– 9 months https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/all?flavor=cheddar&sharpness=extra-sharp – 15 months https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/all?flavor=cheddar&sharpness=extra-sharp-white – 2-6 years, depending on the product Though we always recommend eating Tillamook products by the best by date printed on the package, the aging process of Tillamook cheddar cheese continues even after you’ve brought your cheese home. Be sure to keep it in the coldest part of your refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy it.

Where to Buy

Cheddar you’ll remember.

Naturally aged, award-winning Tillamook Cheddar. It's cheddar for cheddar lovers, made by cheddar lovers.

Spring Pairings Guide

Medium

Cheddar

Pairings

Did someone say picnic? Spin the wheel and get some inspo for using fresh seasonal ingredients with your favorite cheeses.

Medium cheddar +

Fava beans

The buttery flavor of the fava beans are a perfect match for the milk and dairy notes of our Medium Cheddar Cheese.

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Medium cheddar +

Fresh artichokes

A spring luxury, well worth the effort and patience, the creamy butter notes of our Medium Cheddar Cheese enhance the slightly nutty fresh flavor of fresh artichokes.

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Medium cheddar +

Arugula

The peppery spice notes of fresh arugula cut through the flavor of this young, velvety cheddar.

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Medium cheddar +

Rhubarb compote

The warm spice notes and tart crisp flavor of the rhubarb welcome the creamy mouthfeel and buttery flavor of our Medium Cheddar Cheese.

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Medium cheddar +

Daikon radish

The spicy, zesty flavor of the radish is calmed by rich cheddar flavor.

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Medium cheddar +

Strawberry jam

Bright spring flavors and the vibrant red color of strawberries in season provide sweetness and tartness against the brioche flavors of our Medium Cheddar Cheese.

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Medium cheddar +

Baby cucumbers

Crisp and sweet cucumbers alongside our bold, full-flavored cheddar delivers a pleasant, vibrant crunch.

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Medium cheddar +

Strawberries

The acidity of the ripe strawberries cuts through the richness of the cheese, while the sweetness brings the cheddar a subtle balance.

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Grate

things

take

time

Medium cheddar slices pairings image spring

Bring those flavors to life

You did it—now that our exclusive pairing guide is all yours, use it to mix and match your favorite Tillamook products like a pro.

View The Guide

Naturally Aged.

Made with care.

When the people making the cheese love cheese, you can tell. We age our cheddar naturally over time, so you get bold flavor in every bite.

Bold is better.

Cheddar for Cheddar Lovers.

From shreds to slices to snacks, we make cheddar for everyone who loves it almost as much as we do.

The possibilities are delicious.

Unblock your inner chef.

There are no small cheeses. Just small flavors. But in the case of a block of Tillamook Cheddar, there’s no small anything. Take one home and every dish you make will be the star of the meal.

Hands cutting Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Block

The Sharpness Scale

Any SharperAnd You’d NeedA Permit

melty bites to make your day

Tillamook cheddar cheese block zoomed in

Little Boat. Big Story.

Ever wondered what the story is behind the little boat on all our products? It begins with a few farmers who loved dairy so much, they set sail to share it.

Our Story

We promise to put the land, cows, and people first.

As a Certified B Corporation, our promise lives in what we do right — proudly caring for our communities and the environment for over 113 years and counting.

Learn more

Cheddar Cheese

frequently asked questions

How long do you age your cheddar cheeses? What makes them “sharp?"

Tillamook Cheddar Cheeses develop their flavors through the natural process of aging. The longer they age, the “sharper” and more flavorful they become. Tillamook Cheddars are naturally aged in 40-pound blocks for a minimum of: Medium Cheddar – 60 days Sharp Cheddar– 9 months Extra Sharp Cheddar – 15 months Extra Sharp White Cheddar and Maker’s Reserve – 2-6 years, depending on the product

Though we always recommend eating Tillamook products by the best by date printed on the package, the aging process of Tillamook cheddar cheese continues even after you’ve brought your cheese home. Be sure to keep it in the coldest part of your refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy it.

What are the ingredients in your Cheddar Cheese?

The Tillamook Cheddar recipe is based on over 100 years of cheese-making experience. Our Tillamook Cheddar Cheese recipe contains four natural ingredients: cultured milk, enzymes (rennet), salt, and annatto. Annatto is a natural coloring extracted from the seeds of annatto trees grown in the tropics; it is responsible for that beautiful Tillamook Cheddar yellow color! Tillamook white cheddars only contain three ingredients, as they don’t need the annatto.

What makes some of your cheese a yellow color?

The exciting answer: cheesy magic! The less-exciting truth: annatto, a natural, plant-based food coloring extracted from the seeds of tropical annatto trees. Without annatto, cheese is the color of milk. Coloring has been added to cheddar cheese for centuries to regulate color variations in milk that can come from seasonal changes in the cow’s diet. These days, annatto helps ensure that each loaf of Tillamook cheese is the same color that our fans have come to expect. If you prefer a cheese that does not contain annatto, we also produce several white cheddar cheeses, too! Annatto does not affect the flavor of the cheese.