If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the dairy aisle, staring at the variety of cheese selections and scratching your head, you’re not alone.
With so many different types of cheese available, it can be challenging to know which one to choose, especially when it comes to the “Jack” cheeses.
In this section, we’ll explore the origins of these cheeses and the differences between them.
Monterey Jack is the base cheese for all of the other “Jack” cheeses. It’s a semi-firm, creamy, mild-flavored cheese made from cow’s milk that’s aged for a short period.
It originated during the 1700s with Spanish missionaries in present-day San Diego. These missionaries relied heavily on their cattle, which provided milk that they then turned into a soft cheese called “Queso blanco pais.”
In the late 1800s, a businessman located in central California by the name of David Jack took control of the land previously occupied by these missionaries and is said to have been the first person to sell this cheese, popularizing it as “Jack’s Cheese.”
The name eventually evolved to be Monterey Jack.
The other “Jack” cheeses, including pepper Jack, Colby Jack, and Cheddar Jack, are all a mixture of Monterey Jack and another cheese.
For example, sweet peppers, fresh herbs, habañero chilies, garlic, and jalapeños are added to Monterey Jack to create pepper Jack.
Colby cheese, which is an orange, semi-hard cow’s milk cheese, is mixed with Monterey Jack cheese to give you Colby Jack cheese.
Cheddar Jack is a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack.
All of these cheeses melt easily, making them perfect for cooking and creating subtle variations.
Monterey Jack is a great baseline cheese because it’s mild in flavor, so by mixing it up with peppers and/or sharper cheeses, it makes for a more exciting product.
When it comes to cooking, these cheeses are mostly interchangeable, and which one you choose comes down to personal preference.
Monterey Jack will give you the most basic, slightly tangy flavor profile.
Pepper Jack will give you some heat. Cheddar Jack will give you some sharpness, and Colby Jack will give you added nuttiness and a rich orange hue.
In conclusion, the “Jack” cheeses are all variations of Monterey Jack, with additional ingredients mixed in to create different flavors and textures.
Whether you prefer a mild, tangy flavor or something with a little more kick, there’s a “Jack” cheese out there for you.
