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Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a popular favorite in Southwestern and Tex-Mex dishes.

A number of legends still circulate about the true origin of this fine cheddar-type cheese. Whether it was developed by Spanish monks in 18th-century California, as a farm cheese by Spanish-speaking pioneers, or by David Jacks, a Scottish immigrant and dairy farmer in Monterey in the 1890s, all stories point to a beginning somewhere in California. Today this mellow cheese is popular everywhere.

Varieties

Most Jack cheese is made from pasteurized cows’ milk, through a process similar to that used to produce Colby. It is available in whole, skim, and part-skim varieties, and spiced with jalapeño peppers. Jack is typically prepared in wheels that weigh from 6 to 12 pounds (2.7 to 5.4 kg) and is sold in sticks, bricks, wedges, or individual slices.

Young Jack

This is the fresh, semisoft, mild cheese.

Sharp Jack

After being aged for three to six weeks, Jack, like many cheeses, takes on a sharper flavor.

Pepper Jack

Perhaps the best-known Jack variety, this cheese is seasoned with jalapeño peppers.

Dry Monterey or Dry Jack

These are aged skim and part-skim varieties with a rich flavor, intended for grating and table cheese. Some Jack varieties intended for grating may be coated with a peppery oil.

Mexican Jack Cheese

This variety has a firmer texture and the flavor has more bite to it.

Buying and storing tips

Store Jack cheese according to its age. Young, semisoft Jack can be stored for about two weeks. Aged, sharp Jack can be stored for about two to four weeks. Well-aged Dry Jack can be stored for several months or longer.

Availability

Monterey Jack cheese is widely available in natural food stores, specialty stores, and markets.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Serve Monterey Jack sliced; pair it with beer and spicy foods, or with white wine or fruit juice. Jack cheese is a great choice for such quick snacks and meals as breakfast tacos (scrambled eggs, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cheese), bean-and-cheese nachos (tortilla chips spread with refried beans and shredded, melted cheese), and broiled open-face sandwiches. Enjoy it in Southwestern and Tex-Mex dishes, melted over refried beans and rice, and in stuffed enchiladas.

Nutritional Highlights

Monterey Jack, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 106
Protein: 6.9g
Carbohydrate: 0.2g
Total Fat: 8.6g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (212mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.