My top 3 2022 “New” Cheese Picks

If your end-of-2022 felt as frantic as mine, you may have missed a few cheese world introductions. Or checking on your tire’s air pressure, appointments, dry cleaning pickups, etc. If this was the case for you too, I hope that you did not get a flat tire on the freeway, and, I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite cheese releases of 2022, all American.

Marin French Golden Gate Golden Gate is a orange-rinded, triple-creme, stinky, sweet, and creamy wheel. It’s for lovers of Red Hawk or Époisses. It’s subtle and buttery when young, and strong and oozy when old. Spread it on a seedy cracker and eat it plain, or top with honey if your palate wants a little sugar. I’ve seen this everywhere from online to Whole Foods.

Central Coast Creamery Water Buffalo Gouda This is the first American firm buffalo milk cheese I’ve tried, and it’s a winner. Sweet, with notes of cream fraiche and caramel, and perfectly salted, get it whenever you see it. And a lot of it. I found it at my local Redwood City grocer’s, Sigona’s, and at Gary’s online so far.

Jasper Hill Black Label Select Clothbound Cheddar This one has definitely been out longer than a year, but finding it consistently is…. an adventure. Jasper Hill is well known for aging some of the best cheddar in the country, but this one is really something else. Jasper Hill’s sensory analysis team -this is truly a thing and it is wonderful- only picks the best “vintages” to release under this label, and every batch is stunning. Nutty, sweet, crumbly, with some of those cheese crystals that we all know and love. The rule is, if you see it, buy all you can. I’ve seen it at Sigona’s, Bi-Rite, and Saxelby Cheese. Get on a waiting list if you need to.