Did you know that Tillamook has been making ice cream since the 1940s? In 1947 Tillamook made Tillamook Maid and frosty 4 ice cream for the local community. By the 1950s the demand for the delicious frozen treat grew and Tillamook began shipping to two other local counties, Lincoln and Clatsop. In the late 1970s 3-gallon containers as well as half gallons of Tillamook ice cream began shipping throughout Oregon so that people outside of our small coastal counties could enjoy a scoop!

Our best kept secret from the 1940s is now enjoyed by people in the Northwest, California, Utah, Colorado, and even parts of Arizona. To taste all 28 of our ice cream flavors come visit us at The Cheese Factory!

By Kathy

Sis the border collie is ready for her road trip!

Our dog Sis, a border collie, goes everywhere with us. Whether we’re taking a road trip that is a few hours long, or a few days long, I always end up planning ahead and making sure Sis’s backpack is filled up with everything she needs:

- Water – check!
- Kibble – check!
- Ball & frisbee – check!
- Potty pick-up bags – check!
- Towel (for drying off after running in the ocean) – check!
- And snacks, of course! Her favorite is Tillamook Medium Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese.

To make sure that the cheese stays in top condition while traveling, we use an ice pack and a little baggy of the delicious nuggets. It keeps Sis happy and energized on a road trip, which also means that we have more fun. I have to monitor how much cheese she eats at one time so we don’t run out the first hour on the road! Sis is a smart girl and will sneak her nose into the backpack and help herself if the pack is not securely closed! So watch your furry friends and don’t let them have too much at once!

Do you use Tillamook Cheese when traveling with pets? Tell us how you do it!

By Kathy

Did you know that Tillamook Sliced Cheeses come in different sizes? 12 oz. stacked are 1 ounce slices, the shingle and the 2 pound packages are ¾ ounce slices. So you can choose what size of Tillamook Cheese works for your recipe!  Personally I prefer the 1 ounce slices for melting on hamburgers and in grilled sandwiches.  The slice is perfect for that cheesy flavor and gooey texture I want to taste and see in my sandwiches!

A family favorite is using more than one flavor of cheese in your burger. Try a slice of Sharp and a slice of Provolone!  The mild buttery flavor of the Provolone and the full flavor of the Sharp is delicious together and adds a new dimension of flavor to your burger!   I love turkey burgers and the occasional veggie burger!  To add a kick of flavor to these more mild patties I use a slice of Tillamook Medium Cheddar and a slice of Tillamook Pepper Jack!  The nuttiness of the Cheddar and the spicy kick of the Pepper Jack is a perfect addition.

What are your favorite cheese combinations on your grilled sandwiches or burgers? Come on, don’t be shy! Share your secret Tillamook Cheese combos!

~ Kathy of the Tillamook Team

By Kathy

I have to admit that I am a fan of Tillamook Medium Cheddar and it is my “go to” cheese for most recipes, but I am challenging myself to breakout and try some new flavors in my favorite recipes!

For example, over the holidays we had several family members visit and found ourselves with a hungry crowd and not a lot of time to plan for food. We took out all the varieties of Tillamook Cheese in the fridge, including the new 12 oz. Sliced Provolone and Sliced Vintage White Medium. Each of us selected the cheese combinations and bread type (sourdough or wheat) of our choice and tried to come up with the most flavorful grilled cheese sandwich. We cut each sandwich into 4 sections and had fun sampling everyone’s creativity!

One of the crowd favorites was the Provolone, Vintage White Medium and Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar!  The pre-sliced Provolone and Vintage White Medium are easy to use and control how much of the flavor you want in your sandwich. The combination of the softly tangy Provolone, the buttery, nutty cheddar notes of the 100 day old Vintage White Medium and the full flavor of the extra sharp created a delicious gooey, gourmet, cheesy treat!

Get creative, break out of your habit and try out new flavor combinations in your grilled cheese sandwiches…you may be surprised!!

By Kathy