Leading the pack, Queso Blanco is the favorite cheese in 8 states, making it the most popular cheese in America.
Cream cheese follows closely, being the top choice in 6 states.
Soft cheeses are favored by 24 states, while semi-hard cheeses are preferred in only 5 states.
As of the latest data, the average American consumed 45 pounds of cheese in one year.
At the risk of sounding cheesy, it’s clear that people in the U.S. have a love-hate relationship with cheese. Some think cheese is gouda, while others are feta up with it.
No matter where you stand on the cheese spectrum, every state has its own unique preference. In celebration of International Cheese Day, we delved into cheese consumption trends across the nation.
You might be surprised to learn about the cheeses that some states hold dear, including the curious love for Cheez Whiz and Velveeta.
Other Interesting Insights
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While we’re not entirely sure if Cheez Whiz qualifies as real cheese, it surprisingly holds favor in just one state: Delaware. Notably, it’s not Pennsylvania, despite their cheesesteak reputation.
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Traditional favorites like Cheddar and Blue Cheese didn’t even make the top choices.
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Besides Cheez Whiz, Gouda and Cottage Cheese are only loved by one state each, as chunky cheese may take some getting used to.
How We Conducted Our Research
Using Google Trends, we analyzed cheese preferences across the states. We focused on nearly 20 popular cheese varieties, including some unconventional choices like “string” and “Velveeta” (Are those even cheese?). From this data, we identified which cheeses were searched more frequently than others.
For instance, while Pennsylvania enjoys a wide assortment of cheeses, the search interest for grated Parmesan is notably higher than in most other states, making it Pennsylvania’s disproportionate favorite.
In cases where multiple cheeses were tied for a state, the cheese with the highest search volume was selected.
More Cheese, Please!
Cheese is a versatile ingredient that enhances a variety of dishes. Whether it’s a delightful addition to an omelet, a perfect snack on its own, or a complement to pasta, cheese elevates every meal.
The possibilities for enjoying cheese are practically endless. We can’t think of a dish that wouldn’t be better with a sprinkle (or a generous portion) of cheese.
For the cheese lovers out there, check out the table below for each state’s favorite cheese.
Each State’s Favorite Cheese
| State | Favorite Cheese |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Cream Cheese |
| Alaska | Gouda |
| Arizona | Cotija |
| Arkansas | Queso Blanco |
| California | Brie |
| Colorado | Cotija |
| Connecticut | American Cheese |
| Delaware | Cheez Whiz |
| Florida | Queso Blanco |
| Georgia | Queso Blanco |
| Hawaii | Cotija |
| Idaho | Pepperjack |
| Illinois | Queso Blanco |
| Indiana | Queso Blanco |
| Iowa | Velveeta |
| Kansas | Velveeta |
| Kentucky | Velveeta |
| Louisiana | Pepperjack |
| Maine | American Cheese |
| Maryland | Queso Blanco |
| Massachusetts | Feta |
| Michigan | Swiss Cheese |
| Minnesota | Swiss Cheese |
| Mississippi | Cream Cheese |
| Missouri | Monterey Jack |
| Montana | Cream Cheese |
| Nebraska | Velveeta |
| Nevada | Monterey Jack |
| New Hampshire | Brie |
| New Jersey | Mozzarella |
| New Mexico | Cream Cheese |
| New York | Mozzarella |
| North Carolina | Queso Blanco |
| North Dakota | Colby |
| Ohio | Swiss Cheese |
| Oklahoma | Queso Blanco |
| Oregon | Cotija |
| Pennsylvania | Parmesan |
| Rhode Island | American Cheese |
| South Carolina | Cream Cheese |
| South Dakota | String Cheese |
| Tennessee | Cream Cheese |
| Texas | Parmesan |
| Utah | String Cheese |
| Vermont | Feta |
| Virginia | Brie |
| Washington | Brie |
| West Virginia | Colby |
| Wisconsin | Swiss Cheese |
| Wyoming | Cottage Cheese |
Author
Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.
