We didn’t really have an address for the Tillamook Cheese Factory – just looked at the map and headed towards Tillamook, OR – which was why it was fortunate, then, that as we arrived in the small town, a large sign on the left announced the fromagery.
The spectator side of the large facility is basically a self-guided tour with a large second-story viewing area to watch the cheese makers in action. Although there is no cost to enter and walk through the tour, there are many souvenirs to buy and take home – including all kinds of made-in-Oregon products NOT produced there. The tour ends (of course) with a selection of cheese to taste, including cheddar cheese curds (squeaky, salty, pale and very fresh), sharp cheddar (white and dry, with a nice sharp bite), and pepper jack (pale yellow, speckled with colors and with a hot kick!).
The facility includes a café and an ice cream shop with Tillamook ice cream and Tillamook fudge. We spent an hour or so and finally left with three bags of curds, a block of smoked cheddar and 2 Tillamook Smoothies (strawberry and Marion berry flavored).
While it was hard to leave all those free samples, the current Mac and Cheese recipe contest is being held all over the country --- ending this week. What a great excuse to buy a bunch of different cheeses and bake with them all week..
mmmm... cheese...
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