Monterey Jack,sometimes shortened toJack,is aCalifornianwhite,semi-hard cheesemade using cow's milk, with a mild flavor and slight sweetness. Originating inMonterey,on theCentral Coast of California,the cheese has been called "a vestige ofSpanish rule in the early nineteenth century,deriving from a Franciscan monastic style of farmer's cheese. "[1][2]
| Monterey Jack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Region | California |
| Town | Monterey |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | Yes |
| Texture | Semihard, creamy |
| Aging time | 1-6 months |
 Related media on Commons | |
In addition to being eaten by itself, it is frequentlymarbledwithColbyto produceColby-Jack,[3]or with yellowcheddarto producecheddar-Jack.Pepper Jackis a version flavored withchili peppersandherbs.Dry Jackis aharder cheesewith a longer aging time.
Origins
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In its earliest form, Monterey Jack was made by 18th-centuryFranciscanfriars ofMonterey,Alta California.[4]California land speculator and businessmanDavid Jackssold the cheese commercially.[5]He produced a mild white cheese that came to be knowneponymouslyas "Jacks' Cheese" and eventually "Monterey Jack".[6]Other ranchers in the area likewise produced the cheese, among them Andrew Molera, who built a successful dairy operation inBig Surand whose Monterey Jack was especially well regarded.[7]
Aging
editAlthough most of the softer varieties found in American supermarkets areagedfor only one month, "Dry Jack" is a harder variety aged for up to 24 months.[8][9]
Uses
editThe cheese is commonly used as an interior melting cheese forquesadillas,California-style burritos, and also some Mexican-style burritos ( "bean and cheese" ). It can also be used on cheeseburgers or for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a mild flavor and good melting quality for somepasta dishes.
Variants
editDry Jack
editDry Jack was created by accident in 1915, when aSan Franciscowholesaler forgot about a number of wheels of fresh Jack he had stored. AsWorld War Iintensified and shipments ofhard cheesefrom Europe were interrupted, he rediscovered the wheels, which had aged into a product his customers found to be a good substitute for classic hard cheeses likeParmesan.[9][10]
Pepper Jack
editPepper Jack is a derivative of Monterey Jack flavored with spicychili peppers,bell peppers,andherbs.[11]
Headache safety
editBecause of its low content oftyramine,anorganic compoundthought to be associated withheadaches,Monterey Jack is frequently recommended as one of the few kinds of cheese that is safe to eat formigrainesufferers.[12]
See also
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References
edit- ^Brown, Robert Carlton (1955)."4: American Cheddars".The Complete Book of Cheese.New York: Gramercy Publishing Company.
Monterey Jack is a stirred curd Cheddar without any annatto coloring. It is sweeter than most and milder when young.
- ^Jones, Bradley J. (2016). "California". In Donnelly, Catherine (ed.).The Oxford Companion to Cheese.Oxford University Press. p. 107.ISBN9780199330911.OCLC968303209.
- ^Wisconsin Cheese: Colby-Monterey JackArchived2018-05-26 at theWayback Machine.Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.
- ^FWx (ed.)."The Tragic Way Monterey Jack Cheese Got Its Name".Food & Wine.
In 1769, Spanish Franciscan Father Junipero Serra... founded the first California Catholic mission in present-day San Diego. A year later, the second mission was founded at Monterey Bay
- ^Bakken, Gordon Morris; Kindell, Alexandra (2006-02-24).Encyclopedia of Immigration and Migration in the American West.SAGE.ISBN978-1-4129-0550-3.
- ^Feldman, David(2006).Why do Pirates Love Parrots? An Imponderables Books.New York: Collins. pp.53–55.ISBN0-06-088842-3.
- ^McKinney, John (1 July 1990)."History Meets Nature Along This Big Sur Walk".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved12 May2018.
- ^Fabricant, Florence (May 10, 2000)."The Riches of Spain: Its Cheese; A New Appetite In America".The New York Times.
Mahon, a cow's milk cheese from the island of Menorca, with an orange rind, has the kind of nuttiness with buttery overtones you might associate with aged Monterey Jack and is good used just the same way.
- ^abVanderveen, Sarah Koops (July 9, 1995)."Special to the Chronicle: Dry Monterey Jack Cheese: What's Old Is New Again".San Francisco Chronicle.Retrieved2021-04-13.
- ^"Dry Jack".World News.Retrieved2021-04-13.
- ^"Pepper Jack".cheese.Retrieved24 December2016.
- ^"Headaches from Food: The Connection".Medicinenet. 2005-03-29.Retrieved2015-02-26.
External links
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- Moss, Wendy (1996)."The" True "Story of Monterey Jack Cheese".Monterey County Historical Society.
- Dairy Research & Information Center (ed.)."The Legend of Monterey Jack Cheese".UC Davis. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-12-11.Retrieved2016-03-19.
- Dairy Research & Information Center (ed.)."The True Story of Monterey Jack Cheese".UC Davis. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-12-11.Retrieved2016-03-19.
- Bibliography of Dairying in California 1770 to 1945
- Archival Materials - Dairying In California 1770 to 1945