Humboldt Fog is one of the American beauties when it comes to cheeses. Mary Keens at Cypress Grove, California, is the creator of this young goat's milk cheese with its impressive appearance and superior flavor.

The texture is creamy and luscious with a subtle tangy flavor. Each handcrafted wheel features a ribbon of edible vegetable ash along its center and a coating of ash under its exterior to give it a distinctive, cake-like appearance. The edible ash comes from the burning of the White pine tree.

The molds are half-filled, then sprinkled with a lager of salt and ash and then the molds are topped with remaining curds. The wheels are also coated with the same ash before they develop the bloomy white rind. When Humboldt is ripe it is creamy under the rind and firm in the center. The flavor will be mild and balanced, not particularly goaty.

Humboldt Fog was awarded a second place in the category American Originals made from goat's milk at the American Cheese Society Competition of 2007 and third place in 2009 and 2011. In 2010 it received a bronze World Cheese Award.

We cut and wrap this gourmet cheese in pieces of 1 pound and 8 ounce.