31 Days in Oregon: Tillamook Cheese Factory

by RidgetopFarm&Gardenin Oregonon Posted on

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

We can’t drive through Tillamook without stopping at the Cheese Factory. We’ve been there a thousand times & I’m sure we’ll go a thousand more times.

The factory makes cheese. Fabulous Tillamook Cheese! From a viewing area upstairs, cheese lovers can watch how it is made. I have peeked through those windows many, many times.

 

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Cheese Samples
Let’s get right to it. We have visited the Cheese Factory a thousand times because of the cheese samples.
There are a few flavors out to try including extra sharp or pepper jack. My hubby likes to try them all. I, however, am there only for the cheese curds.

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Cheese curds, aka squeaky cheese
We always have to buy a bag or two (or three). They’re wonderfully cheesy, salty, and squeaky!
Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Upstairs
Upstairs is where you view the cheese preparing & packaging process.
There is also historical information on cheese making in Tillamook.

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Making Cheese
1. Milk + Starter Culture = the beginning of cheese
2. Stir
3. Separate Curds from Whey
4. Curds turn into Cheddar Cheese
5. Add salt

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Curds are pressed into a 40ish pound block.
The blocks are vacuum sealed.
The sealed blocks head up to be aged 60 days to 3 years.
Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Packaging the Cheese
After aging, the blocks of cheese get cut and packaged.

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

If a block weighs too much a bit gets sliced off. Those extra pieces are in the 2 bins at the bottom right.
Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Packaged cheese
Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Heading out to be shipped
Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

The kids watching the cheese packaging process.
Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Ice Cream
Another must when visiting the Cheese Factory is getting ice cream. I rarely eat ice cream, but I do get a small cone here because their ice cream is delicious.

Ridgetop Farm and Garden | 31 Days in Oregon | Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

Yay for Tillamook Cheese! Good ol’ Tillamook cheddar is my favorite. When we’re out of cheese, I say we’re out of food because most things I eat include cheese. My love for cheese I’m sure is a big part of why I {heart} the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

 

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