Get to know Cowgirl Creamery Organic Mt. Tam

Just north of the San Francisco Bay, Mt. Tamalpais rises like a monument to Northern California's natural beauty. In deference, Cowgirl Creamery named its signature cheese Mt. Tam. On cheese-making days, the organic milk arrives just a few hours after the early morning milking at the nearby Straus Family Creamery. The Straus' cows graze on lush grass that helps lend a unique, mushroom-like flavor that expresses the terrior (pronounced tear-WAHR). Terrior refers to the way specific elements, like grass or local vegetation, can have influence on the flavors of the cow's milk and developing flavors in cheese.

Mt. Tam is produced using a gouda-like technique where the curds are scooped softly by hand to help keep the rich flavors intact. Once the cheeses begin to age, they are turned twice a week by hand for optimal aging. The result is an elegant, dense cheese with an earthy taste.