Mt Tam - What It Is, How to Buy It, and How to Use It

1. France ➝ The birthplace of triple-creams like Brillat-Savarin and Pierre Robert
2. United States ➝ Home to artisanal producers focused on local ingredients and European techniques
3. Italy ➝ Creates rich, soft-ripened varieties with regional milk characteristics

• California, USA ➝ Mt Tam by Cowgirl Creamery. Distinguished by its organic milk from pasture-raised cows and careful hand-production
• Ile-de-France, France ➝ Brillat-Savarin. The classic French triple-cream with lactic brightness and mushroom notes
• Burgundy, France ➝ Délice de Bourgogne. Rich and decadent with a complex rind development

• 🧀 Whole Wheel (8 oz/225g) ➝ Perfect for cheese boards and special occasions
• 🍰 Half Wheel (4 oz/113g) ➝ Ideal for smaller gatherings or cheese-loving households
• 🔪 Cut-to-Order Wedges ➝ Available at specialty cheese shops for flexible portions
• 🛒 Pre-Packaged Wedges ➝ Found in some upscale grocery stores, though less common

• 🌸 Spring ➝ Particularly bright and floral notes from fresh spring grasses; a stellar season for Mt Tam
• 🌞 Summer ➝ Rich and buttery with slightly more intense flavors as cows graze on abundant summer pasture
• 🍂 Fall ➝ Deeper, more complex flavor profile with subtle nutty undertones developing
• ❄ Winter ➝ Slightly less complex but exceptionally creamy during indoor feeding months

• Color ➝ The rind should be white to ivory without any pink, orange, or gray discoloration
• Form ➝ Slightly bulging sides indicate proper ripening; avoid severely collapsed or overly firm wheels
• Ripeness ➝ Some minor "weeping" at room temperature is normal; excessive liquid suggests over-ripening

• Mushroomy complexity ➝ Gentle earthy notes reminiscent of button mushrooms with buttery undertones
• Balance test ➝ Should smell inviting without ammonia sharpness, which indicates over-ripening
• Warning signs? ➝ Strong ammonia or sour milk smells suggest the cheese is past its prime

• Yielding firmness ➝ Should gently give under slight pressure; the center should be soft but not liquid
• Cream line ➝ A visible progression from firmer center to creamier edges indicates proper ripening
• Warning signs? ➝ Rock-hard center (underripe) or uniformly runny texture (overripe)

• Producer ➝ True Mt Tam is made exclusively by Cowgirl Creamery; verify the source to avoid imitations
• Freshness Dating ➝ Look for clear production or "best by" dates; aim for cheese with at least a week before its date
• Retail Environment ➝ Purchase from shops with dedicated cheese counters and proper storage conditions
• Handling ➝ Cheese should be properly wrapped, stored at appropriate temperatures, and handled minimally
• Price Point ➝ Quality comes at a premium; suspiciously inexpensive "Mt Tam" may be mislabeled or inferior

• Whole Wheels ➝ Store in the refrigerator at 35-40°F (2-4°C) for up to three weeks
• Cut Portions ➝ Wrap in cheese paper or parchment followed by loose plastic wrap for up to one week
• Serving Preparation ➝ Remove from refrigeration 30-60 minutes before serving for optimal texture and flavor
• Transportation ➝ Use insulated bags when bringing home from the store, especially in warm weather

• Northern California ➝ Wheels trucked straight from Point Reyes: barely 3 weeks old, ivory core, faint cauliflower scent—perfect if you like a buttery fondue center.
• Rest of USA ➝ 4–5 weeks old by the time it reaches the case: rind slightly wrinkled, interior custard-soft, more pronounced crimini aroma.
• EU Imports ➝ Usually 6 weeks+ after export; rind may show amber speckles—still safe, but the paste will be runny and the flavor nuttier, almost Brie-de-Meaux-like.

• “Cowgirl Creamery” embossed on the wooden crate or green foil under the paper wrapper.
• Best-by date at least 7 days out—triple-creams collapse fast once cut.
• No ammonia whiff; a faint whiff is normal, sharp cat-box smell means over-ripe.
• Whole wheel if you can swing it; pre-wedges lose moisture and pick up fridge odors.

• Best for Raw Use ➝ A young wheel (3–4 weeks) sliced onto warm baguette—it spreads like truffle butter.
• Best for Cooking ➝ Aged wheel (5–6 weeks) baked en croûte; the extra runny center stays molten without splitting.
• Budget Pick ➝ “Seconds” sold at the Point Reyes farm shop—cosmetic cracks, same taste, ~20 % off.

• USA: $26–32 per 10 oz wheel in specialty stores, $20–24 direct from Cowgirl Creamery online.
• Canada: CAD $34–38 at Les Amis du Fromage or Alex Farm.
• UK: £22–26 at Neal’s Yard Dairy or La Fromagerie; watch for “California Triple-Cream” label if Mt Tam isn’t named.
• EU: €25–30 in Paris or Berlin, often shipped chilled from London. Anything under €20 is likely a domestic Brie knock-off.

• USA: Whole Foods (coast-to-coast), Dean & DeLuca (NYC, DC), Bi-Rite Market (SF).
• Canada: Whole Foods (Vancouver, Toronto), Save-On-Foods (BC) in the “Artisan” bunker.
• EU: Neal’s Yard Dairy (London), Androuët (Paris), Käsehaus (Berlin).
• ANZ: Simon Johnson (Sydney, Melbourne), La Cigale market stall (Auckland).

• USA: Cowgirl Creamery’s own webstore (ships Mon–Wed with ice packs), Goldbelly, Instacart from Whole Foods.
• Canada: Cheese Boutique (Toronto, ships nationwide), Saveur du Jour (Quebec).
• UK: Pong Cheese, The Courtyard Dairy—both offer next-day chilled.
• EU: Formaggio.it (ships from Amsterdam), Quirielle.de (Germany).

• Check Shipping Costs ➝ overnight or 48-hour max; triple-creams hate Mondays in a warehouse.
• Freshness Guarantees ➝ look for “cold-chain maintained” or “if bloomy mold turns pink we replace” policies.
• Buy in Bulk ➝ Cowgirl ships 3-packs at a slight discount; split with friends or vacuum-seal half-wheels for 2-week fridge life.
• Customer Reviews ➝ scan for “arrived bloated” or “rind wet”—both signs of temperature abuse.

North America (NA)

• United States ➝ Widely stocked in Whole Foods, Wegmans, Erewhon, plus California farmers’ markets (Ferry Plaza, Santa Monica).
• Canada ➝ Whole Foods, Urban Fare, Les Amis du Fromage (Vancouver, Calgary), Alex Farm (Toronto).
• Mexico ➝ City Market (CDMX) imports via La Europea, sporadic availability—call ahead.

Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)

• European Union ➝ Neal’s Yard (London), Androuët (Paris), Käsehaus (Berlin), Poncelet (Madrid).
• United Kingdom ➝ Waitrose (select branches), Booths (northwest), Ocado (seasonal).
• Middle East ➝ Jones the Grocer (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Sultan Center (Kuwait).
• Africa ➝ Woolworths (South Africa) carries Cowgirl on special import runs; otherwise online via Yuppiechef.

Asia-Pacific (APAC)

• Oceania ➝ Simon Johnson, The Cheese Shop (Melbourne), La Cigale market (Auckland).
• East Asia ➝ CitySuper (Hong Kong, Shanghai), National Azabu (Tokyo), High Street Market (Seoul).
• Southeast Asia ➝ Gourmet Market (Bangkok), Redmart (Singapore) via cold-chain.
• South Asia ➝ Nature’s Basket (Mumbai, Delhi) on preorder, Godrej Nature’s Basket online.

Latin America (LATAM)

• Central & South America ➝ Jumbo (Santiago), Pão de Açúcar (São Paulo) occasionally stock Cowgirl via Artisan Imports.
• Caribbean ➝ Hi-Lo (Trinidad), Gourmet Gallery (Barbados) on request.

• Temperature Control ➝ Remove from refrigeration 30-60 minutes before serving; cold temperatures mask flavor complexity
• Cutting Technique ➝ Use a wire cheese cutter or warm, clean knife; cut like a cake from center outward for even portions
• Rind Appreciation ➝ The bloomy rind is edible and contributes essential flavor; avoid trimming unless personally preferred
• Serving Caution ➝ Avoid serving on reactive metal surfaces; ceramic, glass, or wood plates maintain flavor integrity
• Ripeness Assessment ➝ Gently press the surface—slight give indicates perfect ripeness; too firm means underripe, while excessive softness suggests overripening
• Regional Twist ➝ In Northern California, Mt Tam is often paired with local sourdough bread and honey, creating an interplay between tangy bread, sweet honey, and creamy cheese. By contrast, East Coast cheese shops often recommend serving it with tart fruit preserves to balance its richness.

• Brillat-Savarin ➝ Replicates texture and richness but offers a more pronounced lactic tang and less subtle flavor profile.
• Saint André ➝ Provides similar richness and creaminess with a milder flavor profile lacking Mt Tam's distinctive mushroom notes.
• Pierre Robert ➝ Matches the triple-cream decadence with a slightly more complex, longer-aged profile.

• Sparkling Wine ➝ The high acidity and effervescence cut through the cheese's richness while complementing its creamy texture. Californian sparkling wines mirror Mt Tam's origin story perfectly.
• Honey ➝ The floral sweetness creates a delightful contrast with Mt Tam's savory notes. Wildflower or orange blossom honey accentuates the cheese's subtle herbal qualities.
• Fresh Stone Fruits ➝ Peaches, nectarines, and plums offer juicy acidity that balances Mt Tam's richness. The subtle almond notes in stone fruits harmonize with the cheese's nutty undertones.
• Toasted Walnuts ➝ The earthy crunch provides textural contrast while amplifying Mt Tam's mushroomy qualities. The slight bitterness of walnuts highlights the cheese's buttery sweetness.

• High Butterfat Content ➝ Contains additional cream added to whole milk, creating a fat content of at least 75% in the dry matter, resulting in exceptional richness
• Enzymatic Action ➝ Penicillium candidum on the surface breaks down proteins and fats during ripening, creating complex flavor compounds and the signature creamy texture
• Lactic Fermentation ➝ Carefully selected lactic acid bacteria develop the cheese's foundational flavor, contributing both acidity and aromatic compounds
• Microflora Interaction ➝ The interplay between surface molds and internal bacteria creates unique flavor compounds impossible to achieve through other methods

• American Cheese Renaissance ➝ Mt Tam represents the revival of artisanal cheesemaking in America, challenging the notion that quality soft-ripened cheeses could only come from Europe
• Feminist Legacy ➝ Created by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, female pioneers in a traditionally male-dominated industry, embodying California's progressive food values
• Local Food Movement Icon ➝ Helped popularize the concept of "terroir" in American cheesemaking, emphasizing regional character and sustainable production
• Bay Area Culinary Heritage ➝ Named after Mount Tamalpais, the symbolic peak of Marin County, cementing its identity as a product of place
• Culinary Education Tool ➝ Frequently featured in educational tastings as an example of how American producers have adapted European traditions with local ingredients
• Sustainability Pioneer ➝ Among the first American cheeses to emphasize organic milk and sustainable production as essential quality factors

• Luxurious Mac and Cheese ➝ Its exceptional meltability creates an unparalleled creamy texture and depth of flavor
• Compound Butter Base ➝ Blend softened Mt Tam with fresh herbs for an extraordinary finishing touch on steaks or vegetables
• Elevated Scrambled Eggs ➝ Fold small pieces into just-cooked scrambled eggs for pockets of creamy richness
• Stuffed Dates ➝ Replace the traditional blue cheese with Mt Tam for a more subtle, elegant appetizer
• Focaccia Topping ➝ Add small dollops before baking for melted pockets of creamy goodness

• Mt Tam was named after the fog-enshrouded Mount Tamalpais that looms over Point Reyes, symbolizing the cheese's connection to its landscape
• The cheese was developed after founders Sue Conley and Peggy Smith traveled through France studying traditional cheesemaking techniques
• Mt Tam uses a unique bacterial culture blend that includes strains isolated from the local environment 🦠
• Each wheel is hand-ladled and hand-salted, creating slight variations that cheese aficionados track like wine vintages

• Ruth Reichl ➝ "It's the perfect cheese: smooth, buttery, elegant, and accessible to all."
• The New York Times ➝ Described as "the cheese that launched a thousand imitators" in a 2005 feature
• Alice Waters ➝ Featured in early Chez Panisse menus, helping establish its reputation among culinary circles

• Organic Certification ➝ Uses milk exclusively from Straus Family Creamery, the first certified organic dairy west of the Mississippi.
• Sustainable Packaging ➝ Cowgirl Creamery has worked to reduce plastic use and increase recyclable materials in their packaging.
• Animal Welfare ➝ Sourced from pasture-raised cows with high welfare standards, including access to open grazing.
• Local Sourcing ➝ By using milk from within Marin County, transportation emissions are minimized.
• Water Conservation ➝ Straus Family Creamery implements methane digesters and water recycling systems to reduce environmental impact.
• Community Support ➝ Cowgirl Creamery helped establish the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, protecting farmland from development.
• Climate Resilience ➝ Supporting pasture-based dairy systems promotes carbon sequestration in grasslands.
• Artisanal Scale ➝ Small-batch production allows for greater attention to environmental impact than industrial operations.