When we think of cheesemakers, we often think of the Swiss or French and the fine fromage that is made there. But cheesemaking has, especially in recent years, caught on among some of the Amish. It is a sensible fit for many Amish who are dairy farmers and often have an excess of milk, which is a building block of cheese.
🧀 Cheese and the Amish
Cheesemaking is something that is a learned craft, and it has caught on among the Amish, but it took a long time.
Homemade mozzarella cheese is quite popular among the Amish. I visited an Amish home in Texas once where the husband and wife were making home mozzarella cheese. It was delicious. And one of the most interesting culinary experiences of my career was getting to tour an Amish blue cheese plant in Wisconsin. Ever heard of Salemville cheese? It is totally Amish made, although the company is owned by a non-Amish group.. Good stuff.
And among the Amish buying a big "horn" of colby cheese is something that is done a lot. That is the term for one of those big cylinder shaped blocks of cheese that you often see in deli cases. And Amish person can buy one of those, take it home, slice it, and have it for their family for a long time if kept chilled.
🫕 Favorite Cheeses Among the Amish
In my experience, here are the cheeses I see most in Amish homes:
Colby: A semi-hard cheese that is mild in flavor and has a smooth texture. It's often used in sandwiches or melted in dishes like grilled cheese. As an aside, Colby is probably my favorite and that is the type that Amish will often buy by the horn!
Cheddar: I am in the minority, I feel like, because everyone else seems to like cheddar better....cheese is a versatile cheese with a slightly sharp taste. It can range from mild to extra sharp depending on the aging process.
❓ FAQ Amish and Cheese
While Guggisberg cheese is made in Holmes County, Ohio, the Guggisberg family isn't Amish. But the Swiss cheesemaking tradition is a good fit for Ohio's Amish Country and has been embraced. Baby Swiss cheese is largely an Amish country creation.
Yes, most Amish buy cheese from Amish-owned stores or chain supermarkets. While there are a growing number of Amish that make their own cheese, it is not a craft that has been a part of their culinary culture for a long time. In fact, one of the most popular "cheeses" among the Amish is the heavily processed Velveeta cheese.
🥄 Five Favorite Cheesy Amish Recipes
APPLE GORGONZOLA CHEESE PIZZA: Sounds maybe not the most appetizing but, man, once you get your hands on a slice of this you'll want it again and again! Click here for the recipe!
AMISH BACON CHEESE DIP: Yum, yum, yum. Good stuff. Click here for the recipe.
HOMEMADE CHEDDAR MEATLOAF: How do you make normally drab, unexciting meatloaf fun and flavorful? Add some cheddar to it! Click here for this great Amish recipe from an Amish woman in Pearisburg, Virginia.
AMISH FARMERS BEEFY CHEESY SPAGHETTI BAKE - This is a super recipe. Here is a bit more about it:
This is a classic Amish meal, that I, and Amish365 readers, can't get enough of. So enjoy this classic recipe that comes from an Amish woman in Ohio. A meal like this is carbohydrate-loaded and meant to deliver calories to hard-working bodies. Cholesterol is an afterthought.
My parents made this and describe it as a delish dish that is a hearty, cheese mish-mash. They added some sliced mushrooms to the mix which, in my book, you can never go wrong with doing. So this recipe, with its versatility, is one of my favorite baked spaghetti recipes. ! Click here.
GRILLED CHEESE FOR ADULTS: With an avocado and tomato slice, this isn't just a plain old grilled cheese. Check it out!
Genny Wentworth
Kevin I'm surprised you haven't mentioned what tragedy us baltimoeans had experienced last week with our francis scott key bridge falling with still 4 construction workers still missing and 2 workers found deceased in the channel of patapsco river it could of been much worse if it would of been rush hour. I thought everyone heard about the tragedy but I guess they haven't. Just curious why you haven't mentioned it !!!
Kevin Williams
Thanks, Genny, typically I would have...I was out camping with my girls most of last week (the emails that were sent were pre-written and pre-scheduled) so I was out of the loop. It was a horrible tragedy and I feel badly for Baltimore. I hope the city gets back on its feet quickly!
Sandy Royers
Not badly. Bad.