Maytag blue cheese is a cow’s milk cheese made in Iowa, considered by some to be one of the best blue cheeses. It is made in small batches, aged for six months, and has a rich, creamy flavor with tangy penicillium mold. Maytag Dairy Farm, a family-owned company, also produces other cheeses.
Maytag blue cheese is a type of cow’s milk cheese made near Newton, Iowa. This variety of blue cheese is considered by some fans to be one of the best blue cheeses, made with locally grown Iowa milk in small batches. The use of cow’s milk as opposed to sheep or goats gives this cheese a rich, creamy flavor that pairs well with the tangy penicillium mold that develops during the curing process.
The first batch of Maytag blue cheese was made in 1941 at Mayiry Dairy Farm, using a recipe developed at Iowa State University. According to dairy staff, the milk for the cheese is homogenized, but not pasteurized, before being processed in small batches and inoculated with culture that will promote the development of fine threads of blue mold in the finished cheese.
During the cheese making process, the milk is curdled and the curds are packed into cheese wheels which are stored in special caves for a six month aging process. At the end of aging, the cheese develops a fine blue mold marbling with a decidedly spicy flavor. The cheese itself is usually very pale white in color and is soft, though slightly crumbly.
Maytag blue cheese is soft enough to make a great spread for crackers and sandwiches. It can also be crumbled into salads, added to sauces, sprinkled on pizzas, and used with a wide variety of other dishes, depending on personal taste. The cheese should be refrigerated before using and, once opened, should ideally be used within a week or so.
Like other blue cheeses, Maytag blue cheese isn’t to everyone’s taste. It has an intense, pungent flavor and pungent odor that are too strong for some people. If you’ve never tried Maytag blue cheese before, you might want to go to a cheese shop that offers tastings. For others, the creamy texture, rich mouthfeel, and spicy, musty streaks are a little slice of cheese heaven.
In case you’re curious, Maytag’s blue is, in fact, related to the famous American household appliance company. Although Maytag has been acquired by other companies, the dairy continues to be a family-owned company, and the friendly staff welcomes questions and visitors. In addition to making their flagship cheese, the dairy also produces several other cheeses, all with fresh Iowa milk.
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