Iowa · United States
Maytag Blue.
Maytag Blue announces itself with an earthy, peppery intensity that cuts through its creamy interior—a study in bold contrasts. The semi-soft paste yields to the tongue with surprising richness, its blue-grey veining delivering tangy, mineral notes that linger with a gentle heat. It's a cheese that commands attention without apology, the flavor deepening as it warms in your mouth.
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Origin
42.5°N · 93.6°W
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Maytag Blue was created in 1941 by Fred Maytag II (of the appliance family) at the Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton, Iowa, in collaboration with Iowa State University researchers.
It was one of the first American artisan blues and helped pioneer the American farmstead cheese movement. It remains a benchmark for domestic blue cheese.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Blue
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 4–6 mo
- Intensity
- 4 / 5
- Texture
- semi-soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Maytag Blue's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for blue cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a thin or wire knife and wipe it between cuts; aim for wedges that share the veins evenly.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Maytag.
54 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Maytag Blue are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Maytag Blue at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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