Artisanal cheese implies that a cheese is produced in small batches almost exclusively by hand-a sort of art form rather than a particular science. According to the American Cheese Society, artisanal cheese is deeply rooted in tradition and true artisanal cheese is made with as little mechanization as possible.

There are a wide variety of artisanal cheeses, as they can be made from all types of milk and do occasionally include additional flavorings.

There are seven styles of cheese: soft cheese, semi-soft cheese, soft ripened cheese, semi-hard cheese, hard cheese and blue cheese. Goat cheese, aged cow’s milk cheese, ricotta and a variety of cheddars are among the most popular artisanal cheeses in the United States.

Although many artisanal cheeses were typically produced in Europe, most types of cheeses, including artisanal cheeses, produced in North America have steadily increased in the past decade. According to Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese and author of The Atlas of American Artisan Cheese, 43 states have artisanal cheese makers, including Hawaii and Alaska.

The result? A wider selection of artisanal cheese has become more readily available to the general public in farmers markets, specialty stores and even supermarkets.  

Stop by one of these locations to sample some of the freshest artisanal cheese in your city.

Chicago:

Pastoral Artisan Cheese Bread & Wine
131 North Clinton Street
(312) 454-2200
Hours:
10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday)
10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Saturday)

New York:

Artisanal Bistro
2 Park Avenue
(212) 725-8585
Hours:
Lunch: 11:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday)
Dinner: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Tuesday - Saturday)
             5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (Sunday - Monday)
Wine Bar:  Open until Midnight (Monday - Saturday)
                  Open until 11 p.m. (Sunday)
Brunch: 10:30 am - 5 p.m. (Saturday - Sunday)
Bar Menu: After 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday)
                   After 9 p.m. (Saturday - Sunday)

Los Angeles:

12023 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604-2609
(818) 505-0207
Hours:
10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Monday - Saturday)
 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sunday)