American Cheeses

American cheeses are mostly versions of European ones, especially cheddar. Two which can claim to be American originals are described under brick cheese and liederkranz.

The American cheese industry is centred on Wisconsin, where a state law once obliged restaurateurs to serve two-thirds of an ounce each of Wisconsin butter and Wisconsin cheese with every meal (it lasted two short years, 1935–7). New York State ranks second in production of cheese. Other states known for their cheeses are California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Vermont.